A POPULAR figure within the community has praised the city of Bradford - encouraging fellow refugees to follow suit and move over.
Dr Manoj Joshi, a successful philanthropist, businessman and pharmacist, came to the UK from Uganda, which was under the oppressive regime of Idi Amin, half a century ago.
He ended up in Bradford in 1981 through work and has never looked back.
Read: Manoj Joshi who came to Bradford from Uganda celebrates 70th
With thousands fleeing Ukraine to the UK, Dr Joshi recalled his own personal story before highlighting the good things about the city.
He added: "I said, if I go anywhere, I want to go where the best school in the country is and the best school at the time was Bradford Grammar School.
"I could have lived in Harrogate, Oxenhope, or Holmfirth, but I chose Bradford because it is the best place.
"The people are nice, the buildings are lovely and I made a lot of friends.
"Bradford means business, beauty, people, success, potential, and opportunities.
"I think that education is the key. Culture, art, music, drama, and literature, which Bradford has been pioneering in the past, add to wellbeing and quality of life. That is very important. I am a Bradfordian by choice.
"When you are in a situation like the Ukrainians are currently in, you're traumatised. If you know you're going somewhere safe, then that's the best thing.
"The people of Bradford were so warm and welcoming (when he first came to the city in 1981) and that speaks volumes.
"When I go outside of Bradford, I always want to come back because this is my home."
Last month, the 70-year-old collected the Lifetime Achievement award at the Telegraph & Argus Bradford & District Education Awards.
A 27-year career in pharmaceuticals and health care was coupled with turning the fortunes around of Bradford Academy in 2002 and revolutionising a nursing home in the district from 1990.
Not to mention owning a Post Office in Clayton Road - his first business - and opening a chemist.
As for what the secret behind his success is, Dr Joshi said: "Learning never exhausts the mind but is the power that drives us forward.
"Working for success will make you a master, but working for satisfaction will make you a legend.
"It is a lifetime's effort but I have still got a lot to give.
"I just want to continue to give because it is really enjoyable. I feel very humble and inspired."
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