In a heartwarming recognition of selfless dedication to knowledge preservation, Anke Gowda, a quiet bibliophile from Mandya district, has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Union government. The 75-year-old former employee of the Pandavapura Sugar Factory has devoted his life to building one of India's largest private libraries, known as 'Pustaka Mane' or House of Books, without any government or institutional support.
A Lifelong Mission Born from Childhood Passion
Anke Gowda, a native of Haralahalli village in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, developed his love for books during his childhood years. This passion gradually evolved into a lifelong mission that would consume most of his modest resources. Despite earning a regular salary from his factory job and later receiving a pension, he made the extraordinary decision to dedicate approximately 80% of his income, pension, and personal savings toward purchasing books.
"Books are divine and a library is a temple of knowledge," Gowda has often stated, explaining the philosophy that guided his remarkable journey. This profound belief fueled his determination to create a comprehensive repository of knowledge accessible to all.
Transforming a Home into a Temple of Knowledge
Over the past five decades, Anke Gowda has transformed his personal residence into the renowned Pustaka Mane, a completely free public library that operates without any membership fees or usage charges. What began as a modest collection has grown into an astonishing treasure trove containing more than 20 lakh books and magazines.
The library's collection represents an extraordinary diversity of knowledge resources:
- Rare and out-of-print works that are difficult to find elsewhere
- Historical newspapers and research journals
- Valuable manuscripts and specialized publications
- Materials spanning over 20 Indian and foreign languages
The Remarkable Scope of Pustaka Mane's Collection
The sheer scale and variety of materials housed at Pustaka Mane demonstrate Gowda's comprehensive approach to knowledge preservation. The library contains more than 5,000 dictionaries, nearly five lakh rare foreign publications, and approximately 35,000 international magazines. For regional scholars, there are 2,500 Kannada magazines, while those interested in specific subjects can explore 2,500 titles dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and another 2,500 books focused on the Bhagavad Gita.
Religious studies are well-represented with over 100 religious texts, including the Bible, ensuring that the library serves diverse intellectual and spiritual interests. One particularly notable section includes more than 700 books from China covering major world languages, reflecting Gowda's commitment to global knowledge.
Addressing the Scarcity of Books
In an interview, Anke Gowda recalled the challenges that inspired his monumental effort. "When we were growing up, books were scarce. That is why, nearly 50 years ago, I resolved to ensure that all knowledge was available to people under one roof," he explained. His collection began with books on Swami Vivekananda and gradually expanded into the massive library it is today.
"My only goal has always been to make information accessible to everyone. I feel honored by the government's decision to confer the Padma Shri on me, though I never pursued awards or recognition," Gowda added, emphasizing that his work was driven purely by service rather than personal acclaim.
A Community Resource and Recognition
Maintained with meticulous care, Pustaka Mane has evolved into an important center for students, scholars, writers, and researchers from across Karnataka and beyond. The library serves as a vital resource for those seeking knowledge that might otherwise be inaccessible due to financial constraints or geographical limitations.
Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumara has congratulated Anke Gowda on receiving the Padma Shri, acknowledging the significant contribution this humble bibliophile has made to preserving and disseminating knowledge. The award represents national recognition for a lifetime of personal sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the ideal that knowledge should be freely available to all who seek it.
Through his extraordinary dedication, Anke Gowda has not only preserved countless volumes of knowledge but has also created a living testament to the power of individual initiative in serving the public good. His story serves as an inspiration for those who believe that meaningful change often begins with a single person's commitment to a noble cause.
