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As dusk fell over Sydney’s Hyde Park, a poignant gathering unfolded beneath the sheltering branches of the fig trees. Friends, advocates, and members of the community came together to mourn Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man who tragically passed away while homeless, remaining undiscovered for nearly a week. Attendees held electric candles in shades of blue, red, white, and purple as they paid tribute to a life filled with hope yet marked by struggle.
A Life Unseen
The atmosphere was somber as Erin Longbottom, a dedicated homelessness support worker, addressed the crowd. She emphasised the heartbreaking reality that no individual should have to die alone and unnoticed in a bustling city. Speaking at the vigil, she reflected on the circumstances surrounding Lama’s death, stating, “Late last year, my team and I arrived at work to the news that one of the young non-residents we had been trying to support had died. That was Bikram. Tonight we remember him.”
Lama, originally from Nepal, had sought a better life in Australia, arriving with aspirations for education and opportunity. However, his status as a non-resident rendered it nearly impossible for him to access vital support services. Longbottom’s voice trembled with emotion as she described him as “a person who lived, and struggled, and died unseen.”
Community Responses
Bikram Lama’s death has ignited discussions within the Australian-Nepalese community, particularly regarding the bureaucratic delays following his passing. Authorities confirmed that his body was decomposed when discovered, necessitating the involvement of his elderly mother, who had to travel from her remote village in Kathmandu to provide DNA for identification. The coroner’s court remains in limbo, awaiting the completion of this formal process, much to the distress of Lama’s family and friends.
At the vigil, Bam Bunyalak, a former homeless individual who also faced the challenges of being a non-resident in Australia, shared her story. After fleeing violence in Thailand on a student visa, Bunyalak experienced homelessness for years, deprived of healthcare and support. She poignantly articulated the stigma surrounding non-residency, describing it as a “disease
