Karnataka man gets Padma Shri for building India's largest library
Anke Gowda, 75, from a small village in Karnataka, just received the Padma Shri 2026 for his lifelong dedication to spreading literacy.
He founded Pustaka Mane—India's largest free-access library—home to over two million books in more than 20 languages, plus rare manuscripts and thousands of dictionaries.
From bus conductor to national awardee
Starting out as a bus conductor and sugar factory timekeeper, Gowda began collecting books at age 20.
Driven by his love for reading and helping others learn, he opened Pustaka Mane to everyone—especially people in remote areas—with zero fees.
His efforts also earned him the Rajyotsava Award.
Lives inside the library
Gowda actually lives inside the library with his wife Vijayalakshmi and son Sagar.
Even without fancy cataloging systems, he organizes books by hand so anyone—from students and writers to civil service hopefuls and judges—can find what they need.
His passion has quietly transformed countless lives through free access to knowledge.