Anke Gowda M: From Bus Conductor to National Treasure — The Man Behind India’s Largest Free-Access Library
In a country as vast and diverse as India, where knowledge is both a treasured resource and a key to social mobility, stories of individuals who democratise learning hold special significance. Among the newest bearers of this legacy is Anke Gowda M, a 75-year-old bibliophile and humanitarian from Haralahalli village in Mandya district, Karnataka, who has been honoured with the Padma Shri 2026 by the Government of India for his extraordinary contribution to literacy, education, and knowledge accessibility.
Early Life: Roots in Rural Karnataka
Anke Gowda was born into a humble farming family to parents Marigowda and Ningamma in the heartland of Karnataka. Growing up in a milieu with limited access to books, his exposure to formal education was modest. Yet, even in those early years, a spark of curiosity flickered within him—one that would eventually transform his life and touch countless others.
Encouraged by a college professor to explore literature, Gowda’s interest in books blossomed. At 20 years old, while working as a bus conductor, he began collecting books with his own money—a practice that many might treat as a hobby, but which he nurtured into a lifelong mission.
A Lifelong Commitment to Books and Learning
As Gowda’s passion deepened, he pursued a master’s degree in Kannada literature and later worked for nearly three decades at the Pandavapura Cooperative Sugar Factory. During this time, he devoted an astonishing proportion of his income—up to 80% of his earnings—to acquiring books. His commitment was so profound that he ultimately sold his own house in Mysuru to expand his growing book collection.
His purpose was not personal accumulation but public access: every book he acquired was intended to be shared freely with anyone who desired knowledge, regardless of their background.
Pustak Mane: A Library Without Borders
What began as a modest collection soon evolved into an extraordinary vision—Pustak Mane (translated as “House of Books”), a free-access library that has grown into one of India’s largest of its kind. Located in Haralahalli village near Srirangapatna, the library today houses over two million books spanning more than 20 languages, with material ranging from classic literature to rare manuscripts and academic texts.
This incredible collection includes:
- More than 5 lakh rare foreign books
- Thousands of magazines and international periodicals
- About 5,000 dictionaries across languages
- Manuscripts and documents dating back nearly two centuries (The Times of India)
Unlike most institutional libraries, Pustak Mane is open to everyone without membership or fees—whether a rural school student, a civil service aspirant, a researcher, or a Supreme Court judge. The principle is simple yet revolutionary: knowledge should be accessible to all, not a privilege of the few. (The Economic Times)
A Simple Life Dedicated to Knowledge
Gowda and his wife, Vijayalakshmi, chose to live within the library itself, maintaining a modest lifestyle to sustain and manage the vast collection. Their son, Sagar, now helps in the administration, even as plans are underway to organise the library’s work formally under the Anke Gowda Jnana Pratishthana Foundation. (The Economic Times)
What makes Gowda’s effort exceptional is not merely the scale of the collection but the sacrifices he made for it. By dedicating decades of his life, income, and personal comfort to this cause, he demonstrated a level of commitment that goes beyond individual achievement—it became a mission rooted in social transformation.
National Recognition: The Padma Shri 2026
On the occasion of Republic Day 2026, the Government of India announced the Padma Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious civilian honours. In the “Unsung Heroes” category—a special focus of the 2026 awards—Anke Gowda was selected for the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award, in recognition of his lifelong service to literacy and education.
This award celebrates ordinary citizens whose extraordinary work has brought about lasting social good. In Gowda’s case, it honours his visionary creation of an inclusive library ecosystem that places free access to knowledge at its heart.
Impact on Communities: Beyond Books
The influence of Pustak Mane extends far beyond its shelves. For many in rural and semi-urban regions, the library has become a hub of learning and aspiration. It supports students preparing for competitive exams, scholars pursuing research, and everyday readers seeking intellectual enrichment.
In regions where access to educational resources can be limited, a free-access repository of this magnitude ignites curiosity, nurtures confidence, and builds opportunities. This makes Pustak Mane not just a library, but a catalyst for social empowerment.
Why Anke Gowda’s Story Matters
In an era where headlines are often dominated by technological breakthroughs and corporate accomplishments, the life of Anke Gowda offers a humbling yet powerful counter-narrative: one that reminds us of the transformative power of ideas when they are shared freely.
His journey—from a bus conductor to a national awardee—also embodies a quintessentially Indian ideal: that knowledge liberated from barriers becomes a force for collective progress. His story reinforces that when individuals commit themselves to the service of others, societal impact can ripple across generations.
Conclusion
The conferment of the Padma Shri on Anke Gowda M is a richly deserved tribute to a life dedicated to education, access, and community upliftment. His work redefines what it means to be an educator in the modern age—not just as a teacher or academic but as a steward of knowledge for all.
As India continues its journey toward inclusive growth, figures like Anke Gowda illuminate a path where learning is not a commodity, but a shared heritage. His legacy will endure long after the awards ceremony, embodied in every reader who walks through the doors of Pustak Mane and discovers the transformative joy of a book.
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