Anke Gowda
Anke Gowda | |
|---|---|
 Gowda in 2012 | |
| Born | c. 1947 Chinakurli, Pandavapura, India |
| Occupations | Timekeeper, book collector, and librarian |
| Known for | Pustaka Mane library (founder) |
Anke Gowda is an Indian book collector and the founder of "Pustaka Mane" library in Mandya, India. He is a retired sugar factory timekeeper who once worked as a bus conductor.[1][2] During the course of his lifetime, Gowda amassed a collection of over two million books, one of the largest private collections in India.[3] His library is readily available to students, scholars, and others, and has made a "significant social impact by ensuring free access to knowledge."[4][5]
Biography
Gowda was born into a farming family in a small village called Chinakurli in Pandavapura taluk.[4] He began reading and collecting books as a child, and his collection began to become a serious occupation in his 20s. He earned a BA and a postgraduate degree in Kannada, before beginning work as a timekeeper at a local sugar factory, where he remained for nearly 30 years.[1] He invested a large portion of his salary and retirement savings in collecting books.[5]
His collection, which includes science, technology, over 5,000 dictionaries, as well as literature, mythology and philosophy, and rare books, is housed in a library called "Pustaka Mane" (House of Books) in Pandavapura municipality, Karnataka's Mandya district.[4][2] It is a purpose-built nearly 1,500 square meter building, the construction of which was funded by Hari Khoday, who also funded the relocation and renovation of a local temple. The library is open to the public.[1]
Gowda lives with his wife Vijayalakshmi, and their son in a corner of the library.[3]
Recognition
Gowda's work and commitment to making books available to the public has been recognised with various awards and honours. In 2014 he was the recipient of a Rajyotsava Award, and he is one of the 2026 Padma Shri awardees, granted "for his extraordinary contribution to promoting literacy and learning."[4][5][3][1]
References
- ^ a b c d Qureshi, Imran (7 February 2026). "Anke Gowda: The Karnataka man who built a library of two million books". BBC News. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Once a bus conductor, now Padma awardee: Who is Anke Gowda, the man behind India's largest free library?". Hindustan Times. 25 January 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ^ a b c "Once a bus conductor, now a Padma Awardee: Who is Anke Gowda, the man who built India's largest free library with two-million-books". The Economic Times. 25 January 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Padma Shri 2026 awardee Anke Gowda earns acclaim for lifelong service to librarianship". The Hindu. 25 January 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ^ a b c "India's unsung heroes in the Padma Shri Awards 2026 – 30 January 2026". O Heraldo. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.