From Bus Conductor to Padma Shri: The Man Behind the World's Largest Free Library
In the 1970s, at Maharaja’s College in Mysuru, lecturer K Anantharamaiah gave his graduating students three final pieces of advice: "Never seek bribes, be good to your neighbours, and cultivate a good habit." While many nodded, one young man, Anke Gowda, took this to heart. Fifty years later, that "good habit" has blossomed into the world's largest free-access library, housing over two million books.
A Republic Day Honor and a Temple of Knowledge
This Republic Day, 75-year-old Anke Gowda was awarded the Padma Shri for his selfless service in creating Pustaka Mane (Book House) in Haralahalli village, near Srirangapatna in Karnataka's Mandya district. What began as a personal collection has transformed into a "temple of knowledge" attracting readers and tourists alike.
Early Struggles and the Spark of a Vision
Born to a farmer, Anke Gowda was the first in his family to graduate. After earning his Bachelor's degree, he worked as a bus conductor but soon quit to become a security guard at a sugar factory, all while pursuing a Master's in Kannada at the University of Mysore.
"At this point, though I had a collection of some books related to Swami Vivekananda and others, what really haunted me was that I was unable to find books for my studies," Gowda recalled. "I took note of what K Anantharamaiah had said and then started collecting books. None should be bothered that they would not get books to study. So, I wanted to build an institution."
Overcoming Hurdles: Land, Donors, and Relentless Dedication
As his collection grew, space became a major constraint. Twenty-five years ago, a chance meeting with liquor baron Hari Khoday changed everything. Khoday, surprised by Gowda's dedication, purchased land and built a library for him.
For over five decades, Gowda has been on a relentless quest, using his earnings and later support from donors to amass a vast collection. His library now includes:
- Over 2,500 books on the Bhagavad Gita
- 25,000 books on the Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata
- 5,000 science books
- 5,000 medical science books
- 1,000 travel diaries
- 2,000 English literature books
- 8,000 foreign language literature books
Yet, challenges persist. "I now have an acre of land, which I got through donors. The entire place is totally filled with books, and I would require more land to keep these books," he said, pointing to his garage where thousands of books await shelving.
Preserving Accessibility and Addressing Modern Challenges
Gowda has resisted offers from philanthropists and trusts to take control of his collection, insisting the library must remain free and accessible to all. He expressed concern over declining reading habits, especially among youth. "Over the years, I have seen a decline in the habit of reading, especially after smartphones came into existence," he noted.
However, he finds hope in the success of his readers. "A lot of people who studied here have become IAS officers, government officers, and scholars. I am happy about it."
A Tourist Attraction with a Purpose
Today, the library draws 50-100 daily visitors, mostly competitive exam aspirants, though tourists outnumber serious readers. To address this, Gowda has created a separate space for dedicated readers.
Receiving the Padma Shri brought mixed emotions. "I felt I deserved it, but never in my dreams did I think I would be recognised," he admitted. "At the same time, I felt very sad that I was going to collect the award while keeping 10 lakh books outside with no space for readers."
Anke Gowda's journey from a bus conductor to a Padma Shri awardee underscores the power of a simple habit turned into a lifelong mission, creating a legacy of knowledge for generations to come.
