Delta ryots express adoration for ‘Apara Bhageeratha’

The ‘Apara Bhageeratha’ of Krishna and Godavari delta region of the state, Sir Arthur Cotton, continued to get the same adoration and affection of thousands of farmers of East and West Godavari districts, which was again and again witnessed on his 210th birth anniversary on Wednesday. Overwhelmed by a deep sense of gratitude for his invaluable contribution to the irrigation system in the region, people from different walks of life joined the celebrations as a thanks-giving gesture.

The engineering prowess of Sir Arthur Cotton during the 1850s had given an everlasting boon to farmers of the delta, which are called rice bowls of Andhra Pradesh. Born on May 15, 1803, the ‘Apara Bhageeratha’ had a museum and some 3,000 statues all over East and West Godavari districts. The tomb of Cotton’s daughter, who died during the construction of the bridge, due to snakebite, and was kept near Chitrangi guesthouse in Rajahmundry is in a dilapidated condition.

The Irrigation Department celebrated the occasion at its office at the barrage at Dowleswaram, which he built in 1852 against odds to herald prosperity and green revolution in the Godavari delta region. The Engineers Federation undertook service activities across the district.

At Dulla village, Kanda Bhaskar Reddy performed Abhishekam to Cotton’s full size statue in the village with milk and paid rich tributes along with hundreds of farmers. During the function Mr. Reddy said that the imposing barrage at Dowleswaram, with two head sluices on either side and several under sluices, stands testimony to Sir Arthur Cotton’s vision. However, he expressed his dissatisfaction over not having any documentary on Cotton at his historic Museum in Dowleswaram for display for the benefit of visitors. He also pointed out that the guesthouse on Bommuru hilltop, the place where Sir Arthur Cotton took rest during the construction of work was also neglected on the grounds of owning the responsibility that means whether it should be owned by Tourism or Information or R and B or Archaeology or Engineering Head Works Department of Dowleswaram.

On the other hand, Lieutenant Murthy Jasti of River Bay Resorts distributed sarees to wives of Laskhars who are working in Irrigation Head Works at Dowleswaram and the bust size statue of Cotton was inaugurated in the Irrigation Circle Office by the Engineers.