For nearly four decades, every familiar wave and warm smile at the main entrance of Universiti Putra Malaysia came from one man fondly known across campus as “Uncle Sri.”

Now, after 37 years of service, UPM Auxiliary Police officer Sri Kantha Rao a/l Sani Babu has officially retired, leaving behind not just a post at the guardhouse, but countless memories shared with generations of students and staff.

Affectionately called “Uncle Sri” by the campus community, he chose to retire on May 1, 2026, to focus on his health and spend more time with his family.

For Uncle Sri, saying goodbye to UPM was never going to be easy.

“How could I not miss this place? I’ve met so many people here over the years. Every day, staff and students would greet me at the main entrance calling out ‘Uncle Sri, Uncle Sri’. Those are memories I will never forget,” he shared emotionally.

More than just a security officer stationed at the guardhouse, Uncle Sri became a comforting presence on campus someone known for his kindness, humility, and willingness to help anyone in need, even beyond his official responsibilities.

According to him, the simple act of greeting and helping one another is something society should never lose.

“We should always greet each other. If we stay silent, we’ll never get to know new people. If we can help someone, just help without waiting to be asked. When students or staff faced problems, I tried my best to assist them immediately. They truly appreciated it,” he said.

One of the moments he treasures most was helping students understand and read their English-language theses, despite it not being part of his job scope.

“Sometimes I spent hours reading through their thesis just to help them understand it better. Even though it was a small contribution, I felt happy knowing I helped students complete their assignments and succeed in their studies,” he recalled.

Throughout his years at UPM, Uncle Sri also witnessed the university’s remarkable transformation. Areas that are now modern buildings and student facilities were once open fields, paddy land, and plantations.

“The main parking area used to be a football field. The area around the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology used to be paddy fields. Everything has changed now, including the residential colleges and the surroundings near Kolej Pendeta Za’ba,” he said.

Retirement, however, does not mean slowing down completely for Uncle Sri.

These days, he spends his time gardening, repainting and cleaning his home, while maintaining a disciplined exercise routine.

“I wake up as early as 5am, and by 6am I’m already cycling at home. In the evenings, I spend another hour exercising,” he shared.

He also hopes to travel overseas with his family next year, something he now finally has time for after dedicating nearly four decades to campus life.

In recognition of his dedication and outstanding service, Uncle Sri previously received the Special Customer Service Quality Appreciation award during the Hari Kualiti dan Inovasi Perkhidmatan (HKIP) in 2018.

But beyond awards and years of service, what truly made Uncle Sri special was the impact he left on people.

To many students, he was more than just the man guarding the university gates.

He was the first smile they saw in the morning, the familiar face that made campus feel like home, and the gentle soul who proved that kindness, no matter how small  can leave a lasting mark on thousands of lives.

Source / Image Credit : UPM.EDU , Hayrol Azril Hayrol