Retired Factory Worker Builds Two-Million-Book Library, Inspiring a Nation to Read

Pandavapura, Karnataka | February 2026: Anke Gowda, a 79-year-old retired sugar factory worker from Karnataka’s Mandya district, has created one of India’s most remarkable private libraries—housing nearly two million books and open freely to all. His lifelong dedication to reading and learning recently earned him the Padma Shri, a prestigious civilian honour conferred by the Government of India, recognising his extraordinary contribution to promoting literacy.

Born into a farming family where books were a rarity, Gowda’s fascination with reading began in childhood. Recalling his early years, he shared that access to books was limited, but curiosity drove him to seek knowledge and collect books wherever possible. Over the past five decades, this passion steadily grew into a vast collection covering almost every subject imaginable, including rare editions of the Bible and numerous out-of-print works.

Located in Pandavapura, the library occupies a sprawling building and reflects Gowda’s singular approach to knowledge sharing. Unlike conventional libraries, it follows no rigid cataloguing system. Books are stacked on shelves, arranged in piles on the floor, and even stored outside under awnings, where nearly 800,000 books remain packed in sacks, awaiting sorting. Despite the apparent disorder, regular visitors attest that Gowda himself can locate almost any book with remarkable ease.

The library continues to expand through Gowda’s own purchases and generous donations from well-wishers. It has become a vibrant community space, frequented daily by students, parents, teachers, and avid readers. Open every day for long hours, the library embodies Gowda’s belief that books should never be locked away or restricted.

Gowda lives with his wife and son in a small corner of the library, symbolising a life wholly devoted to books and learning. His initiative stands as a powerful testament to how individual passion and perseverance can transform communities, making knowledge accessible and inspiring generations to cultivate the habit of reading.

News Courtesy Imran Qureshi: BBC News

Picture Courtesy Alphonse Vimulraj