Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110761612000.htm

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Sir Arthur Cotton’s grandson to visit India

M. Malleswara Rao

HYDERABAD: Robert Charles Cotton, grandson of Sir Arthur Cotton, is visiting Andhra Pradesh for 11 days from November 25.

Sir Cotton is remembered by the people in the Godavari delta in Andhra Pradesh and in parts of Tamil Nadu and Bihar for his efforts towards construction of irrigation and navigation canals.

His grandson’s visit follows an invitation extended to him by the former Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Andhra Pradesh’s Major Irrigation Minister P. Lakshmaiah said here.

As a British officer, Sir Cotton made relentless efforts to harness rivers for the benefit of people. He had the first-ever structure built across the Godavari in 1840s in the form of an anicut at Dowleswaram and a network of canals dug up from this point. As a result, the drought that perennially prevailed in the east and west Godavari districts vanished.

Serving over 10 lakh acres, the canal system converted the State into a rice granary much before the Nagarjuna Sagar project came into existence.

Accompanied by his wife, 84-year-old Mr. Robert Charles Cotton will visit projects under construction in the three regions of Andhra Pradesh under Jalayagnam. Mr. Cotton will also visit the tomb of Dr. Reddy at Idupulapaya in Kadapa.

The couple be felicitated at Hyderabad on December 3, at the end of the visits to the projects.