Relaxed security for VVIP

I have vowed never to attend any function where the President, the Prime Minister, and the Sindh Governor are the chief guests. I do not wish to waste hours waiting for them to show up, suffer the many security checks, take long walks from the parking lot, nor do I have the desire to listen to oft-repeated speeches.
There are many businessmen who sacrifice family functions just to be at one of these programmes and maybe get a chance for a photograph with them.
I made an exception on 2 April at a function organised by the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Bilateral Forum at a five-star hotel, the scene of the bomb blast on the eve of President Bush's visit to Pakistan, but this time the chief guest was the Sri Lankan President.
A close relative was signing a MOU, which is the latest craze in the business community, and he wanted us to be there when he is photographed with the visiting President. I had expected the Governor or Chief Minister to be there too. I had also felt that there would be gun-totting commandos all over the hotel and in the hall.
I was amazed to see a very relaxed security environment. There was the usual checking but very casual, and the depositing of cell phones at a counter where a charming Sri Lankan lady performed this task.
The organisers, all well-known businessmen, were taking care of the guests while waiting for the chief guest who was late by 75 minutes. It transpired that the Governor was hosting a tea party for him.
When the President and his entourage entered the meeting hall to witness the MOU signing, most of the noise and hustle-bustle were done by the cameramen and photographers.
The President was then escorted to the dais and one could sense that he was in a jolly good mood sharing jokes with the Forum office-bearers sitting on his sides.
The Ministers were also relaxed and comfortable. There were three short speeches plus one by the chief guest. The VVIPs relished the presentation of Ajraks and Sindhi caps.
I would surely say that I enjoyed every moment because I got a chance to meet and shake hands with a foreign President, as there were no commandos or plain-clothed goons to stop me from coming near him. I also got the opportunity to make some new contacts among the two dozen Sri Lankan businessmen accompanying the President.
The moral of this narration is that our leaders are so afraid to get close to the business community that earns dollars and euros for the country. They should learn from this President, whose manners and actions reflected an Awami nature.
He was soft spoken, looking young in his trademark white dress with a red scarf. The Sri Lankans must be proud of theft leader. Although it was for me a good experience, I still do not wish to attend any function where any of our leaders may be the Chief Guest.