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As dusk fell over Sydney’s Hyde Park, a gathering of mourners lit electric candles in a spectrum of colours, creating a poignant tribute to Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man whose life ended tragically in obscurity. The vigil, attended by friends, community members, and advocates for the homeless, underscored the urgent need for systemic change in how society responds to homelessness and non-resident individuals.
A Life Cut Short
Bikram Lama, who emigrated from Nepal to Australia in search of educational and professional opportunities, became a victim of the city’s homelessness crisis. According to reports, Lama’s body lay undiscovered for nearly a week beneath a fig tree in Hyde Park, a stone’s throw from the bustling streets of Sydney. It was only when station staff finally found him that the grim reality of his situation came to light, highlighting the often-overlooked struggles faced by those living on the margins of society.
At the vigil, Erin Longbottom, a dedicated homelessness support worker from St Vincent’s Health, delivered a heartfelt message. “No one should die alone and unseen in the heart of our city,” she declared. Longbottom explained that despite efforts to assist Lama, his status as a non-resident severely limited his access to essential services and support, a factor that ultimately contributed to his tragic fate.
Voices of Experience
Among those who attended was Joe Trueman, a former rough sleeper and a friend of Lama’s, who strummed a heartfelt rendition of Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise” on his guitar. The emotional performance resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom shared their own experiences of homelessness and the pervasive stigma that accompanies it.
Bam Bunyalak, who also spoke at the vigil, recounted her own harrowing journey. Arriving in Australia from Thailand on a student visa, she escaped domestic violence only to find herself homeless and without access to healthcare. “Being a non-resident in Australia can feel like a disease with many symptoms,” Bunyalak noted, adding that mental health issues often accompany the struggle for basic survival.
Calls for Action
The death of Bikram Lama has ignited discussions about the need for policy reform. Independent state MP Alex Greenwich, who attended the vigil, shared his concerns about systemic discrimination against rough sleepers who lack residency status. He has urged the state government to conduct an inquest into Lama’s death to investigate potential policy failings that contributed to this tragedy.
Greenwich’s remarks were echoed by others at the vigil who highlighted the alarming trend of homelessness-related deaths in Australia. Recent incidents, including the heartbreaking deaths of a newborn at a homeless camp and a young Indigenous mother succumbing to sepsis after eviction, have raised urgent questions about the adequacy of current policies and the need for a more compassionate response to those experiencing homelessness.
A Community in Mourning
The Australian-Nepalese community has expressed frustration over the delays in formally identifying Lama’s body, with his elderly mother being required to travel from her remote village in Kathmandu for a DNA sample. This process has compounded the grief felt by those who knew him and has drawn attention to the emotional toll that bureaucratic hurdles can inflict on families already suffering from loss.
Longbottom’s powerful call to action resonated with all present: “Homelessness is solvable—if we as a society choose to solve it.” This sentiment encapsulates the profound need for a collective effort to eradicate homelessness, ensuring that no one else has to experience the isolation and neglect that Lama faced.
Why it Matters
The tragic passing of Bikram Lama serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by non-residents and the homeless in Australia. His story highlights the urgent necessity for comprehensive policy reforms aimed at protecting the most marginalised in our society. As communities come together to advocate for change, the hope is that Lama’s legacy will inspire a renewed commitment to addressing homelessness and ensuring that every individual is seen, heard, and valued, irrespective of their background or residency status.