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The Better India · 28 days ago
Free Library in Karnataka Houses 2 Million Books
In the quiet village of Haralahalli, Karnataka, 75-year-old Anke Gowda has built more than just Pustaka Mane, a library of nearly two million books; he has crafted a sanctuary for learning and curiosity. Once a humble bus conductor, Gowda poured his life's savings and sold his house to nurture his devotion to books, living now among the very tomes he cherishes. This library, housing texts in over 20 languages, is his gift to the world-a place where knowledge knows no walls, hosting everyone from schoolchildren to Supreme Court judges. Though his dream faces challenges like digitization and funding, Gowda remains steadfast in his vision of a living center of learning. In a hurried world, he stands as a reminder of the enduring power and quiet rebellion found in the pursuit of understanding, declaring, "From my small village, I offer a sanctuary for learning-open to all, asking for nothing but curiosity."
