SERDANG – For nearly four decades, a cheerful “Selamat pagi!” and a warm “Apa khabar?” were the comforting constants greeting anyone entering the grounds of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
Those familiar greetings belonged to Sri Kantha Rao Sani Babu—affectionately known to generations of students and staff as “Uncle Sri”—who has officially wrapped up his 37-year journey as an auxiliary police officer at the university.
Uncle Sri, who chose to hang up his uniform on May 1 to focus on his health and spend quality time with his family, leaves behind a legacy defined by profound kindness and selfless service.
According to a poignant tribute shared on UPM’s official Facebook page, Uncle Sri was much more than a security presence. He was the friendly face of the campus, a gentle soul whose infectious smile and helpful nature left an indelible mark on thousands of students who passed through the university’s gates over the years.
Beyond keeping the campus safe, Uncle Sri frequently went above and beyond his daily duties. He became legendary among the student body for helping undergraduates navigate the nuances of their English-language theses, driven solely by a desire to see them succeed academically.
His exceptional dedication to student welfare did not go unnoticed during his long career. In 2018, Uncle Sri was formally recognized for his outstanding work ethic, receiving the Special Customer Service Quality Award during UPM’s Service Quality and Innovation Day (HKIP).
News of his retirement has triggered an outpouring of emotional responses across Malaysian social media networks, with alumni, current students, and staff flooding comment sections to share personal stories of how Uncle Sri’s small acts of kindness brightened their university days.
Many netizens noted that individuals like Uncle Sri embody the true spirit of a campus community, proving that a little compassion can completely transform the educational journey for young Malaysians living far from home.
As Uncle Sri steps into a well-deserved retirement, the collective sentiment from the UPM family remains clear: his presence at the guard post will be deeply missed, but his legacy of warmth will always remain a part of the university’s history. -MalayaDailyToday
