Why Security is Needed for Leaders?

In the year 2004 while doing my PhD, I visited Infosys Campus in Bangalore. What strike me most was the security arrangements there. The Security In-charge made a photo ID Card, talked to the GM -HR, did thorough search etc. before allowing me into the campus of Infosys. In every building the photo ID card was must for everyone. 

When I met the GM-HR, I asked why the security in Infosys is so high-even higher than the security of North/South Block where so many top ministers including PM sits. He explained that they have so many well known people like Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani etc who were working there in the campus and moving freely in the campus with other employees. They are their most valuable assets for the company. If someone harms them or kill them, the company is ruined as stock of the company shall be reduced to less them half in no time and their shareholders and nation shall lose thousands of crores rupees.

We have learned the dictum that prevention is better than cure. The number of lives that good security of the leaders (or officers, businessman, actors) saved is not known and counted and remain unknown to the common people. In our hatred for the political leaders, we have forgotten how much security is important for them and the lives of their family. A good security to important people helps them taking bolder decisions which may influence many vested interests adversely.

Once you have chosen or become a VIP/Extraordinary person (Like PM/CM), unfortunately you have to lose few of the privileges of an ordinary men like anonymity and moving freely without getting noticed.
You can’t be ordinary and Extraordinary at the same time.

Security is not a luxury but the cost the leaders and celebrities have to pay for being public personalities.