Anke Gowda: A Lifetime of Quiet Sacrifice Recognised in Padma Awards

In a heartfelt recognition of a life dedicated to unheralded contributions, Anke Gowda, aged 75, has received official acknowledgment in the 2026 Padma Awards under the “Unsung Heroes” category. This esteemed Padma Shri celebrates a man who journeyed from a bus conductor to the creator of an extraordinary literary legacy.

Anke Gowda’s Journey to Establish Pustak Mane

For more than fifty years, Gowda devoted his energy to Pustak Mane, an extensive free-access library that came at a significant personal sacrifice. To build this haven for learning, he invested around 80% of his earnings throughout his career in the acquisition of books and even faced the ultimate loss of selling his family residence.

Background of Anke Gowda

Originating from a farming background in Mandya district, limited access to books marked his early years. His passion for reading ignited at twenty, following encouragement from a college lecturer, which led him to start gathering books while he worked as a bus conductor.

Afterwards, Anke Gowda transitioned to full-time studies, earning a master’s degree in Kannada literature. He then spent approximately three decades employed at a sugar factory, all while continuing his book collection.

Pustak Mane: The World’s Largest Free-Access Library

Establishing the world’s largest free-access library, Pustak Mane, has been the crowning achievement of his life, boasting over two million books in twenty languages, in addition to rare manuscripts. The library also features around five lakh unique foreign books and roughly 5,000 dictionaries across various languages.

Accessibility of Pustak Mane

This library is open to everyone, from local students to Supreme Court judges, with no fees for membership. To ensure the upkeep of this vast collection, Gowda and his spouse, Vijayalakshmi, reside within the library premises. Alongside their son, Sagar, Anke Gowda manages the library and is working to formally organise it under the Anke Gowda Jnana Pratishthana Foundation, especially as his collection continually grows.

Gowda remarked that mainly researchers and students visit him. Even aspirants for civil services and Supreme Court judges seek references from the numerous books available. There is no fee for entry or membership. Anyone can come, read, and enrich their knowledge, he mentioned in an interview with Mathrubhumi News.