As dusk fell over Sydney’s Hyde Park, a poignant gathering took place under the sprawling branches of fig trees. Friends, family, and community members came together to honour the memory of Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man who tragically succumbed to homelessness. Electric candles flickered in hues of blue, red, white, and purple, illuminating the faces of those who mourned a life cut short and a story left untold.
A Heartfelt Tribute
The vigil, marked by a deep sense of loss and solidarity, featured emotional speeches that focused on the need for compassion and structural change. Erin Longbottom, a homelessness support worker at St Vincent’s Health, delivered a powerful message, stating, “No one should be left to die in the middle of Sydney, alone and unseen.” Her words resonated deeply, encapsulating the frustration and sorrow felt by many in attendance.
Lama, originally from Nepal, had faced significant challenges as a non-resident in Australia. Longbottom recounted how her team had been trying to assist him before his untimely passing, which occurred after he had reportedly remained undiscovered for up to a week. By the time his body was found, it was in a state of decomposition, a tragic end to a life that began with hope and aspirations for a better future.
Community Outrage and Calls for Change
The circumstances surrounding Lama’s death have sparked outrage, particularly within the Australian-Nepalese community. His elderly mother was forced to travel from her remote village in Kathmandu to provide a DNA sample for identification, a process that has been met with delays and frustrations. “It feels like nobody cared,” lamented Bam Bunyalak, a fellow attendee who shared her own experiences of homelessness after fleeing family violence in Thailand.
Bunyalak’s words highlighted the broader issues faced by non-residents in Australia, who often lack access to vital healthcare and support. She referred to the condition of being a non-resident as a “disease with many symptoms,” noting that homelessness and