Patna, Aug. 7: Special envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Rashad Hussain visited young entrepreneur Irfan Alam and the Samman Foundation here today.

He also inaugurated Samman Swastha, a new initiative aimed at providing healthcare camps for rickshaw-pullers and migrant workers.

Hussain, who has been appointed by President Barrack Obama, used to live in the Sabzibagh area in Patna before 1969.

Hussain said: “My family migrated to the US in 1969. It has been a long time before I returned. Thoda bohut Hindi bolta hoon (I can speak a little Hindi). My father Mohammed Akbar Hussain was a mining engineer in the Indian School of Mines.”

He said: “It feels nostalgic. Though I cannot remember much of Patna since I was very young when I left, it seems to have changed for the better.”

Hussain said: “I had come to Patna a long time ago to my visit grandparents. I will be visiting my house in Sabzibagh tonight. The city has improved a lot. It is a wonderful feeling.”

The envoy was all praise for Alam’s efforts towards making the rickshaw-pulling profession into a profitable and honourable affair with his innovative ideas.

He said: “The US embassy has always supported and will continue to help such innovative projects. Irfan has shown what a good and noble thought, hard work and motivation can lead to. It is the same with all the nations. The work he is doing is really commendable.”

Rickshaws designed by Irfan offer several passenger-friendly facilities, such as drinking water, mobile charger, magazines and even music. These rickshaws also provide ample space to display advertisement on the side, front and back panels of the rickshaw. A rickshaw-puller, apart from the regular fare, earns an additional amount from the different services available. Moreover, the rickshaw-pullers associated with the Sammaan Foundation are also provided health insurance. Irfan said his mission aimed to hold health camps to treat such people and their families.

He said: “We are trying to set up a panel of doctors in different cities of Bihar and the health camps will be organised through them. We are also linking up with charitable hospitals and pharmaceutical companies for this.”