He was a Karnataka bus conductor once; now he runs a 16,000 sq ft library with 20 lakh books

In Karnataka’s Mandya district, a retired sugar factory worker has quietly built what many are calling one of India’s largest private libraries. Pandavapura is now home to Pustaka Mane, a massive 15,800 sq ft library housing nearly 2 million books, open to all for free reading and borrowing. The man behind it, Anke Gowda, has turned a childhood of scarcity into a lifelong mission of access.

Honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award in Literature and Education, Gowda’s story is now drawing attention across the country. But for him, it is less about recognition and more about unfinished work.

A childhood where books were rare

Gowda grew up in a rural farming family where books were not easily available. He studied while also helping his father in the fields. Reading was something he longed for but rarely accessed.


That early hunger for knowledge stayed with him and slowly turned into a mission: collect books, share them, and make sure village children never feel excluded from reading.

The turning point: a teacher, a bus job, and a decision

After finishing school, Gowda started working as a bus conductor. But a chance meeting with a former teacher changed his path. He was encouraged to return to education instead of dropping out of studies.

He followed that advice, completed a postgraduate degree in Kannada, and later joined a sugar factory as a timekeeper. Even then, his focus never shifted away from books.

Building a library, one sacrifice at a time

Gowda’s collection grew slowly but steadily. Much of it was built through personal sacrifice, with most of his income going into buying books.

"I had to collect money from home. My sister and other relatives would also pitch in. I would collect tips, I began with very small amounts," he revealed.

Over the years, he also worked as an insurance agent and raised cows to sell milk, all to fund his growing library.

The addiction of reading and a growing dream

For Gowda, reading was not just a habit but something deeply personal.

"When you start reading, it's addictive, like tasting candy," he said to the BBC in an interview. "We never got books to read, but I was always curious about them. I kept thinking that I should read, gather books and gain knowledge," he added.

That curiosity eventually turned into thousands of books filling his home, then tens of thousands.

From trunks to a 15,800 sq ft library

At first, books were stored in trunks. Then shelves filled his house. Soon, even that was not enough.

When the collection crossed nearly 50,000 books, space became a serious problem. Support came from philanthropist Hari Khoday, who helped fund the construction of a large library building. Later, additional structures were added with support from then Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

Today, Pustaka Mane spans multiple buildings, though organisation is far from conventional. Books are stacked on shelves, floors, and even corners. Outside, sacks still hold an estimated 800,000 books waiting to be sorted.

A living, messy, but powerful library

Despite the chaos, the library continues to attract students, teachers, and readers from nearby areas. Regular visitors say they eventually learn how to navigate the space.

"It's not organised, but it's a huge ocean of books," said Shilpashree Haranu, an associate professor and frequent visitor. "For us it's messy, but Anke Gowda knows exactly where a particular book is kept," she added.

Gowda himself continues to guide visitors and locate books from memory.

Recognition and a quiet farewell to responsibility

In January 2026, Gowda was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to education and literature. While the honour brought national attention, Gowda has also begun acknowledging his limitations due to age and energy.

"I have fulfilled my responsibility. But I don't have the energy anymore. Maybe the government and the public can take over now? I have done my best, now it is up to others."

For Gowda, the story is no longer about building, it is about passing it on.