When Brijendra Kaura moved to Edinburgh as a teenager from his Indian homeland, little did he know it would be the beginning of an unbreakable bond with the capital.
Now aged 84 and after decades of working various jobs in the city, Brijendra has returned to spend his final days in India - but not without leaving an incredible parting gift. He has donated a lifetime of possessions and his house to good causes in the city which welcomed him all those years ago.
Arriving for the first time in Edinburgh and far away from family, he studied hard and graduated from the Dick Vet in 1961 before borrowing money from friends and neighbours to fly back to India. His family begged him to stay but he knew he had to pay the neighbours who helped him back.
While in India, he met the love of his life who wanted to see the Scottish capital for herself. Brijendra then ditched his plans to move back to India and the couple started to build a new life in Edinburgh.
READ MORE - Drunk Edinburgh man caught with lover in stairwell as neighbour tried to get past
Brijendra took on all sorts of jobs during his time here, starting with brick laying and odd jobs before becoming a Lothian Buses driver in his twenties. He loved to drive and was proud to never have a single prang during his whole service for the company - frequently being awarded certificates for his exceptional and careful driving.
His niece Nikita is now acting as custodian of his final wish to see his possessions go to a good cause. Her dad died when she was very young and Brijendra was his best friend, ever since they have had a father daughter relationship and looked out for each other.
When his health worsened and he knew he needed to travel back to India to see out his final days, the mum and businesswoman flew across to bring him back to her family home. Due to his old age and sick health, Nikita was signed over as the power of attorney so she could make vital medical decisions.
This also included sorting out the two Leith flats the man has acquired over his last 75 years in the city and the hundreds of items he kept to use one day.
Brijendra only took three things with him when he left the country, his wedding ring, a watch that was a gift from Nikita's grandfather and a picture of his mother. The rest of the items he said he no longer wanted.
She later flew out again to organise his belongings which were to the value of around £7,000 and made an open house so the Indian community could come and take whatever they wanted from the belongings.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live Nikita said: "He came to Edinburgh and spent the next 75 years here making it his home. He is a lovely person when he used to come to India after my father died he was like a father figure. He taught me to drive and spent time teaching me English.
"I was interested in what life was like on the other side of the world and he'd share these things with me. When he first came here he used to work on the roads laying stones. But for fourteen years he did all sorts of jobs.
"He used to drive double decker buses which he did for over 18 years. He loved it, year by year he got awards he was very prestigious. He was afraid to have kids in case he died and left them alone, he didn't want to trap a soul in this world alone. So he just worked and lived in the Leith community."
During the next six decades Brijendra worked and lived in Leith where he collected all sorts of bizarre items over the years. He would often buy the top technology as he loved to take photos and gifts for his wife.
Sadly, many were left unopened as his wife spent a lot of time away before they eventually got divorced. Now Brijendra wants to leave Edinburgh with one last act of kindness, donating a lifetime of treasured but never used possessions to the community he lived in.
Both his homes are frozen in time - piled high with treasures hoarded over the years. They are packed with print photographs, television’s from before the millennium, snazzy cameras that were once top of the range and essentials such as bedding and household items.
When the houses on Balfour Street and Lorne Street are sold they are likely to bring hundreds of thousands of pounds in which will be donated to charity, splitting the cash between a UK charity and one based in India.
Nikita said: "My Granny used to say, a gift only has any value only if the receiver accepts that lovingly. In this situation, a receiver always holds the upper hand and I am very grateful to all the people who have accepted the gifts with my uncle's blessings and there are more who will be making his life-long collections of goods as gifts he has offered.
"I am sincerely thankful to all for coming and collecting their gifts. Anyone can still come for next 3 days and see if they have their share of any gifts and blessings here for them if they feel the connection."
"This is an out of the world kind of experience for me. I hardly knew anyone in Edinburgh and he lived here quite lonely but now a big and very loving family has emerged out of the whole city where no religion, no nationality, no age, no educational background or social status held any bars. "
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
She added: "Everyone wants to meet my uncle and wishing for his good health and many even planned to visit him paying a visit to him in India!! I never thought myself this kind of a thing existed.
"So lovely people , please do know this for your lifetime that goodness is everywhere without any boundaries, no one should feel alone as there are people for them all around. It is just a matter of someone initiating by reaching out. God Bless you all, with much love and gratitude."
READ MORE
Edinburgh man recruited to take part in 'mysterious' gang attack on chef
Edinburgh chef Tom Kitchin hosts Scotland players ahead of crunch Ukraine match
Mum of three rushed to hospital after daughter's dog poops in her mouth
Edinburgh dad can play with his kids again after stranger gifts him life-saving kidney
Top Edinburgh lawyer considers moving to England to pay less tax
