Shaquille O’Neal and His Shocking Action After the India Plane Tragedy
On June 12, 2025, the world was shocked by the news of the horrific Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 241 people, including Pratik Joshi, a talented software engineer who had been working in London since 2019, his wife and three young children. The loss not only left an inconsolable pain for his family and community in Banswara, Rajasthan, but also moved millions around the world to see the story of a hopeful family preparing to start a new chapter in the UK.
Amidst this tragic backdrop, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, who is known for his kind heart in addition to his illustrious career, unexpectedly made an act that deeply touched both the people of India and basketball fans around the world. Shaq, who has no direct connection to the Joshi family, announced the creation of a scholarship fund in India in the name of Pratik Joshi, to support disadvantaged technology students to pursue their dreams, just as Pratik rose to become a brilliant software engineer in London.
Shaquille’s actions did not stop at donating a large sum of his personal fortune to start the scholarship fund, but he also personally sent a video to the Indian community, expressing his deep sympathy and calling for everyone to pray for the souls of Joshi’s family and other victims. Shaq’s heartfelt words, combined with his long-standing commitment to supporting education in India, touched the hearts of millions, from the people of Banswara, where Joshi’s family lives, to basketball fans who had never heard of Pratik’s story before.
Less than a week after the announcement, the Pratik Joshi Scholarship Fund has received enthusiastic support from international organizations, sports stars and ordinary people, making it a symbol of solidarity and hope amid the pain. Shaquille O’Neal’s noble act has not only helped preserve Pratik Joshi’s legacy but also inspired the global community to come together to overcome the tragedy and move towards a brighter future for India’s youth.