As twilight descended upon Sydney’s Hyde Park, a poignant gathering unfolded beneath the sprawling fig trees. Friends and supporters came together to honour the memory of Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man whose life tragically ended in obscurity. Holding electric candles flickering in hues of blue, red, white, and purple, the crowd sent a powerful message: no one should fade away unnoticed in a city brimming with life.
A Life Cut Short
Bikram, who had journeyed from Nepal to Australia in search of education and opportunity, was found deceased near St James station, where he had been living on the streets. It is believed that his body lay undiscovered for nearly a week, a haunting reminder of the invisible struggles faced by many in the homeless community. Erin Longbottom, a dedicated homelessness support worker from St Vincent’s Health, expressed her sorrow during the vigil, sharing the painful reality that Lama had been a young man full of hope who ultimately lived, struggled, and died without recognition.
“Tonight, we remember a person who came here for a future,” Longbottom shared, her voice thick with emotion. “He should not have been left to die alone and unseen.”
The Impact of Non-Residency
Lama’s status as a non-resident significantly complicated his access to support services. Longbottom explained that the challenges he faced were magnified by bureaucratic barriers that often leave vulnerable individuals with limited options for assistance. As a result, many like Bikram slip through the cracks of the system, often leading to devastating consequences.
The impact of his death resonates deeply within the Australian-Nepalese community, particularly as his elderly mother was required to travel from her remote village in Kathmandu to provide a DNA sample for identification. The delays in confirming his identity have only intensified the pain for his family, who await closure amidst growing frustration.
Voices from the Vigil
Among those who gathered to pay their respects was Bam Bunyalak, a woman who has faced her own struggles with homelessness after arriving in Australia from Thailand on a student visa. Her heartfelt testimony highlighted the grim realities that non-residents encounter, describing homelessness as one of many symptoms of a larger societal issue.
“Bikram deserved a better life,” Bunyalak stated emphatically. “He did not get the chance to say goodbye to his family, and it feels as if nobody cared.” Her words resonated with many at the vigil, a stark reminder that every individual, regardless of their background or residency status, has inherent value.
A Call for Change
The gathering also drew the attention of local leaders, including independent MP Alex Greenwich, who has been vocal about the need for systemic change. Following Bikram’s death, Greenwich has called for an inquest to scrutinise potential policy failures that may have contributed to such tragedies. He noted that Lama’s passing occurred just a short distance from the NSW Parliament, underscoring the urgent need for policies that protect the most vulnerable members of society.
“This should serve as a wake-up call for all of us,” Greenwich remarked. “No one should die alone, and no one should die because
