Sir Arthur Cotton -- YV Ramakotaiah

Among those treasures of our land is water --- first becoming our most valuable, most prized, most critical resource, said Dwight David Eisenhower. It is a blessing if properly used --- but it can bring devastation and ruin when left uncontrolled. Mankind is in a race with disaster. If the world’s water needs are not met, there is a shipwreck ahead. The inevitable result will be mass starvation, mass epidemic and mass poverty greater than anything people know today.

Dams across rivers and streams are used to control and regulate flow of water which is often used for agricultural purposes and irrigation. Hydroelectric power is a major source of electricity in the world. Many urban areas are also supplied with water from rivers at the dam sites.

General Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton (15 May 1803 Oxford – 25 July 1899 Dorking) was a British General and skilled irrigation engineer. He devoted his life to the construction of dams across the rivers, besides navigation and irrigation canals throughout the British Empire in India. However, he realized his task partially. In 1819, Arthur Cotton joined the Madras Engineers. He also fought in the First Burmese War, and he was knighted in 1861. He was an evangelist with great love for the welfare of people.

Born as tenth son to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Calvely Cotton, Arthur was one of the 11 brothers. They all lived illustrious lives in all their ups and downs. In 1818, Arthur joined as a cadet for Military at Addiscombe. This was where cadets for Artillery and Engineering Services of East India Company were trained. Arthur was 15 years old at that time. Later, after the completion of training he was appointed to the “Royal Engineers” as Second Lieutenant in 1819.

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