The Assembly session ended, but my day didn't.
Not even close.
The laws had passed—but laws meant nothing without structure. Without planning. Without education.
So I didn't go home.
I didn't even sit for five minutes.
I left the Legislative Assembly building and headed straight to the Education Ministry.
The car ride was short, but my mind was racing.
By the time I entered the Ministry office complex, I had already mentally drafted a curriculum outline.
The staff recognized me immediately—half from the news, half from last month's Aarey incident.
"This way, sir."
They led me straight to the Minister's personal office.
The door opened.
And there he was.
Mr. Rane — Minister of Education.
A former resident of Goregaon.
A long-time family friend.
Someone who used to give me chocolates during Ganpati visits.
He stood when I entered.
"Aakash! You've grown too fast, beta. Come, come."
I bowed lightly. "Namaste, uncle."
He waved me to sit, but before he could ask anything, I got straight to the point.
"Uncle… we need to talk about Pokémon curriculum. Immediately."
His face changed—relaxed warmth replaced by professional seriousness.
I continued:
"Before we hand over Pokémon to these teenagers, we need a structured training program ready. It's already end of April. Schools open mid-June. We have barely a month."
He nodded slowly, sinking back into his chair.
"You're right. The laws passed today—but implementation will be chaos without planning."
I leaned forward.
"Let's start with students who cleared 10th this year. Students like me."
That made him blink.
He suddenly remembered I was sixteen.
"Aakash… if I remember correctly, your results are coming in a week?"
"Exactly," I said. "Same for every secondary board student."
I slid a file onto his desk.
"Along with their result, send every passing student a digital and physical form—Application for Pokémon Trainer Program."
He opened the file, reading quickly.
"You want them to declare now if they wish to pursue it?"
"Yes," I said firmly. "They need to know the process clearly."
I stood and began explaining while pacing slowly.
"One-month intensive theory course in June:
Safety
Pokémon behavior basics
Food & care
Emergency drills
Battling ethics
Zone entry rules"
He raised a brow. "Intensive?"
"Uncle… if a teenager is going to own a living creature capable of destroying a car, they need more than enthusiasm. They need discipline."
He nodded heavily.
"And after they pass theory?"
"Then they can select how to get their first Pokémon."
I listed them out with my fingers.
"Option A — Government Program
We provide a randomized egg for ₹50,000.This cost will be merged into school fees for every student who opts in."
He scribbled that down.
"Option B — Private Selection
If parents don't want random eggs, they can obtain a newborn Pokémon from certified breeding houses or conservation zones.
Price starts at ₹2,00,000 depending on species."
"And adults?" the Minister asked.
"They must follow normal Basic Trainer licensing—they're not part of the student program."
He leaned back, absorbing it all.
"And Pokémon Academies?"
"Start in September," I replied. "Gives us time to prepare staff and training grounds."
He tapped the table thoughtfully.
"So… students complete theory in summer. Get their Pokémon by August. Then enter the Pokémon Academy in September?"
"Exactly. The summer training isn't optional. Only those who pass will enter Pokémon Academies."
"This solves the problem for 16+ students," I said slowly "But it's not a long-term solution."
He looked up, confused."What do you mean?"
I stepped forward again, hands resting on the table.
"Uncle… this one-month intensive training is only a patch. A temporary fix."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Our real problem," I continued, "is that teenagers at age sixteen will suddenly enter a world filled with Pokémon—but they will have zero foundational knowledge. We're teaching them too late."
He understood immediately.
"Aakash… are you proposing curriculum changes?"
"Yes," I said firmly."We need to introduce Pokémon knowledge earlier. Much earlier."
I sat down again and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Uncle… students aged 14 and 15—9th and 10th standard—must have a compulsory Pokémon Theory subject."
He blinked. "Compulsory?"
"No exceptions," I said. "Even for students who do NOT want to be trainers."
He raised a brow, waiting.
I explained:
"Pokémon are not a hobby.Not a sport.Not something only trainers deal with."
I tapped the table once.
"They are now part of our world.They exist in cities, villages, forests, lakes, public transport, homes, offices."
He nodded slowly.
"It's like teaching children basic zoology, first aid, or road safety… but on a much larger scale."
"Exactly," I said. "Even a student who never trains a Pokémon must know:
• which Pokémon are dangerous• which are friendly• which can poison you• what to do if cornered• how to treat basic injuries• how Pokéballs work• what NOT to feed a Pokémon• what signs mean a Pokémon is agitated• how to report wild sightings"
He exhaled, realizing the scale.
"And this knowledge must begin early."
"Uncle," I said, "most students leave 10th at age 15 or 16. Now they will be surrounded by wild Pokémon every day. Without proper understanding… we're setting them up for accidents."
He rubbed his chin.
"A compulsory Pokémon subject for 9th and 10th…"He nodded slowly."Yes. That would prepare students BEFORE they ever apply for trainer programs."
I pushed a second document toward him.
A simple outline.
Pokémon Theory Curriculum — Proposed Core Topics
Pokémon Basics (species, habitats, ecosystem roles)
Safety & First Response
Pokémon Behavior Patterns
Type chart fundamentals
Identifying aggressive vs. docile Pokémon
Ethics & coexistence
Famous incidents & mistakes to learn from
What to do when encountering wild Pokémon
Pokémon and human society integration
The minister read it all…And then he leaned back, amazed.
"Aakash… this is exactly what we need. If children learn this from age 14, then by age 16 they'll be ready to decide whether or not to train."
I nodded.
"It protects them AND stabilizes society."
He clicked his pen and began writing notes furiously.
"I'll introduce Pokémon Theory as a compulsory subject for all 9th and 10th standard students. Across Maharashtra. And I'll push for CBSE and ICSE adoption too."
"Good," I said.
He looked impressed—and a little relieved.
"This… this is actually workable. Logical. And safe."
"It has to be safe," I said sharply. "If we give Pokémon to kids without teaching them responsibility first, we'll have accidents in every district."
He smirked faintly.
"You're sixteen, but you speak like someone in his thirties."
I shrugged.
"Uncle, the world changed… so we need to change faster."
He nodded.
"I'll call an emergency meeting with the Education Board today. We'll begin drafting the national-level guidelines based on your framework."
"Good," I said, standing up. "We cannot afford mistakes now."
As I turned to leave, he called out:
"Aakash."
"Yes?"
"You are doing something… historic."
I paused.
"Not just for Maharashtra. For India."
I gave him a small smile.
"Someone has to make sure we're ready for this world."
And that was that.
The foundation for India's future Pokémon literacy was set.
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Age India US (Grade Level)US School Category
13–14 Class 9 Grade 9 (Freshman) High School
14–15 Class 10 Grade 10 (Sophomore)High School
15–16 Jr. Clg 1 Grade 11 (Junior) High School
16–17 Jr. Clg 2 Grade 12 (Senior) High School
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