In brief
Alphonse Vimulraj Anke Gowda, a 79-year-old retired sugar factory worker from Karnataka, has amassed a collection of two million books in his sprawling library, which serves as a beacon of knowledge and inspiration for his community. Awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to literacy, Gowda's journey from a book-starved childhood to a library that welcomes all is a testament to his passion for reading and education.
Two million books, housed across a sprawling building, free for anyone to borrow and read.
That's the wealth that Anke Gowda, a retired sugar factory worker from India's southern Karnataka state, has accumulated over the past five decades.
The 79-year-old made headlines last month when he received the Padma Shri - a civilian honour awarded by the federal government - for his extraordinary contribution to promoting literacy and learning.
Gowda - whose eye-popping collection includes rare editions of the Bible, along with books on every subject imaginable - comes from a farming family where books were a luxury.
I grew up in a village. 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 told the BBC.
Gowda's library, located in Pandavapura, lacks the rigid organisation usually found in other libraries. There is no professional librarian; instead, the books are stacked haphazardly on shelves and on the floor.
Outside the library's awnings are sacks filled with an estimated 800,000 books, still waiting to be unpacked. The collection continues to grow through Gowda's purchases and donations from others.
Regular visitors include students, parents, teachers, and book lovers, many of whom are accustomed to navigating the eclectic arrangement with ease.
Gowda, his wife, and son reside in a corner of the library, which is open daily for long hours.
In his youth, Gowda balanced schoolwork with farming duties, often asking his family for money to buy books instead of food. His desire for knowledge led him to gather a small collection, ultimately inspiring him to establish the library.
Through hard work in various jobs, including bus conductor and sugar factory timekeeper, he dedicated a significant portion of his salary to his literary passion. His quest for space eventually led him to construct a library building, funded by friends and local philanthropists who appreciated his unwavering commitment to education.
Today, students and educators visit the library, drawn to its vast collection despite its unorthodox organization. Gowda's legacy is now entwined with the community's commitment to fostering literacy, a testament to his lifelong dedication to spreading the joy of reading.
