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In a poignant gathering at Sydney’s Hyde Park, community members came together to honour the memory of Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man who tragically passed away while homeless. The evening was illuminated by electric candles in a spectrum of colours—blue, red, white, and purple—symbolising hope and remembrance. Lama’s story is a stark reminder of the struggles faced by many in the shadows of society, as he lay undiscovered for nearly a week before his death was confirmed.
A Life Cut Short
The vigil was marked by a powerful message from Erin Longbottom, a homelessness support worker who spoke passionately about the need for greater compassion and awareness surrounding homelessness. “No one should be left to die in the middle of Sydney, alone and unseen,” she declared, as attendees listened in rapt silence beneath the sprawling fig trees.
Lama, who emigrated from Nepal in search of educational opportunities, had become a fixture in the St James station area, where he was affectionately known as “the birdman.” His friend, Joe Trueman, a former rough sleeper, paid tribute by strumming Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise” on his guitar, encapsulating the heartbreak and resilience of those affected by homelessness.
The Struggles of Non-Residents
St Vincent’s Health, an organisation that had been attempting to assist Lama, revealed the complexities surrounding his non-resident status, which made it increasingly difficult for him to access essential services. Longbottom expressed her sorrow at the loss, stating, “A young man who came here with hope… a person who lived, struggled, and died unseen.”
The circumstances surrounding Lama’s death were especially tragic; it was reported that he remained undiscovered for days, and by the time his body was found, it had already begun to decompose. In a heartbreaking twist, his elderly mother was required to travel from her remote village in Kathmandu to provide a DNA sample for identification. The ongoing wait for formal confirmation has added to the distress felt by both his family and the Australian-Nepalese community.
A Shared Experience
At the vigil, Bam Bunyalak, who understands the trials of homelessness as a former non-resident herself, shared her own harrowing journey. Arriving in Australia from Thailand on a student visa, Bunyalak had faced years of homelessness after escaping family violence. She spoke candidly about the stigma of being a non-resident, describing it as a “disease with many symptoms.”
“Bikram Lama deserved a better life, but now he is gone. He did not get the chance to say goodbye to his family, and it feels like nobody cared,” she lamented, emphasising that every life matters, regardless of background or residency status.
Calls for Change
Independent MP Alex Greenwich also attended the vigil, stating that he had communicated with Premier Chris Minns and called for an inquest into the circumstances surrounding Lama’s death. He expressed concern over policies that disproportionately affect rough sleepers, particularly non-residents. “Bikram died only about 200 metres from NSW parliament,” Greenwich noted. “It is in that house and in our parliament that policies are made, decisions that may have contributed to the death of Bikram.”
Lama’s death is part of a troubling trend, with several recent incidents highlighting the urgent need for systemic change. Experts in homelessness and advocacy groups are calling for this moment to catalyse a national conversation about how society addresses these issues.
Why it Matters
The tragic loss of Bikram Lama serves as a critical reminder of the human cost of homelessness and the urgent need for compassionate policy reform. His story resonates with the many individuals who find themselves on the fringes of society, unnoticed and unsupported. As community members come together to voice their grief and demand action, it is a powerful call to acknowledge that homelessness is not just a statistic but a reflection of our collective humanity. No one should face such an invisible fate, and it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that no life is left in the shadows.
