BENGALURU, Jan. 26 -- For decades, Anke Gowda spent his days punching bus tickets and his nights collecting books, slowly assembling what would become one of India's largest free-access libraries. On Sunday that lifelong devotion to knowledge earned him national recognition, as the Union government announced the Padma Shri awards for 2026.

Gowda is among three recipients from Karnataka named this year, alongside Dr Suresh Hanagavadi, a physician who transformed hemophilia care in the state, and Dr SG Sushilamma, a social worker whose initiatives for women and children span nearly half a century.

A total of 8 people from Karnataka were honoured with Padma Awards this year for their contributions across diverse fields. Shatavadhani R Gane...