Books have a unique way of changing lives. For some, they open doors to new worlds; for others, they become the spark for a lifelong mission. For 79-year-old Anke Gowda from Karnataka, books became both a source of knowledge and a promise to ensure that no child is denied access to learning simply because of poverty.

This year, that extraordinary commitment earned him the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours. 

But long before the recognition arrived, Gowda had already spent decades quietly building a legacy that now houses over 20 lakh books and serves thousands of readers.

A childhood shaped by the absence of books

Born into a farming family in Karnataka’s Mandya district, Gowda grew up in a village where books were a luxury. As a student, he often travelled long distances to Mysuru just to study and access reading material. The struggle left........

© The Better India