The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Robert Cotton lauds Jalayagnam

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Robert Cotton lauds Jalayagnam

Special Correspondent

Sir Arthur’s great grandson touched by mention of anicuts built by him

Rosaiah felicitates Robert Charles Cotton and his wife
The couple will pay homage to YSR in Idupalapaya today

PHOTO: P.V.SIVAKUMAR

Memorable visit: Chief Minister K. Rosaiah greeting Robert Charles Cotton, great grandson of Sir Arthur Cotton, and his wife in Hyderabad on Thursday.—

HYDERABAD: Robert Charles Cotton, great grandson of Sir Arthur Cotton, who arrived here on Thursday from London along with his wife, had a 20-minute meeting with Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and appeared touched as the latter dwelt on the anicuts built by his great grandfather across the Godavari and the Krishna.

The couple visited the Chief Minister’s residence at Ameerpet where Major Irrigation Minister P. Lakshmaiah, Council Chairman A. Chakrapani, former MP Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad and former Minister M. Buddha Prasad were present.

Worked in Kolkata

Mr. Charles Cotton, who retired as a civil engineer after serving in Kolkata in 1952-54, praised the State government for continuing the legacy of Sir Arthur by taking up construction of 80 irrigation projects under Jalayagnam to divert the river waters to parched lands. Mr. Chakrapani showed photos of Mr. Rosaiah indicating the latter’s close association with Indira Gandhi’s family. Mr. Rosaiah felicitated the couple with shawls and presented mementos.

Mr. Charles Cotton had visited Andhra Pradesh in 1987 and called on then Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao before going around East and West Godavari districts which had witnessed great economic transformation following the irrigation system developed by his great grandfather. A hero’s welcome was accorded to him then. Now too, a number of organisations in the area are eager to repeat the honour when he visits the area later this week.

The couple will be at Idupalapaya on Friday to place a wreath on the samadhi of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy before visiting Jalayagnam project sites in the State and Vijayawada and Rajahmundry later.

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