In a poignant gathering held at dusk beneath the fig trees of Hyde Park, Sydney, community members came together to commemorate Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man whose life was tragically cut short while living on the streets. Attendees held electric candles adorned in vibrant hues of blue, red, white, and purple, as they paid tribute to a life that ended in obscurity, with Lama reportedly lying undiscovered for nearly a week.
A Life Unseen
The vigil served as a powerful reminder of the often-invisible struggle faced by homeless individuals. Erin Longbottom, a dedicated homelessness support worker at St Vincent’s Health, addressed the crowd, emphasising the urgency of acknowledging the humanity of those living without shelter. “No one should be left to die in the middle of Sydney, alone and unseen,” she declared, her voice resonating with emotion.
Longbottom recounted the tragic news that had reached her late last year—that a young man they had been trying to assist, Bikram, had passed away. “He came here with hope, seeking education and opportunity, but ultimately lived and died unnoticed,” she lamented.
A Community in Mourning
Lama, originally from Nepal, was discovered by station staff, his body in a state of decomposition due to the time elapsed before he was found. This heartbreaking situation was compounded by the need to confirm his identity through DNA testing, requiring his elderly mother to travel from her remote village in Kathmandu. The coroner’s court has reported delays in the identification process, causing distress within the Australian-Nepalese community who are united in their grief for Lama’s family.
At the vigil, Bam Bunyalak, a former homeless individual who arrived in Australia from Thailand, shared her own harrowing experiences of living without shelter. Through her powerful speech, she highlighted the plight of non-residents facing homelessness. “Being a non-resident here can feel like a disease with many symptoms,” she stated. “Homelessness is one symptom, and mental health struggles are another. Bikram deserved a better life, but now he is gone.”
Calls for Change
The gathering saw the presence of independent state MP Alex Greenwich, who has taken the initiative to press for an inquest into Lama’s death. Greenwich has reached out to Premier Chris Minns and State Attorney General Michael Daley to advocate for a thorough examination of the systemic failures that may have contributed to such tragedies. He pointed out that Lama’s death occurred merely 200 metres from the New South Wales Parliament, where policies affecting the homeless are crafted. “It is in that house where decisions are made that may very well have led to Bikram’s death,” he asserted.
The loss of Bikram Lama follows other recent incidents that have sent shockwaves throughout Australia, including the death of a newborn at a homeless camp and the tragic passing of a young Indigenous mother from preventable sepsis after being evicted from public housing. These events have prompted experts and advocates to call for urgent action, labelling them a potential turning point in how society addresses homelessness.
Why it Matters
The heartbreaking circumstances surrounding Bikram Lama’s death highlight a systemic failure that cannot be ignored. His story is not just about one life lost; it reflects a broader societal issue that demands our attention and action. If we are to uphold the dignity of every individual, especially the most vulnerable among us, we must confront the realities of homelessness head-on. The collective grief expressed in Hyde Park serves as a rallying cry for change—one that insists on compassion, understanding, and a commitment to ensuring that no one else dies alone and unseen in our communities.
