My point is a simple, mathematical one: 80%. That is a good lower bound on the percent of kids in India that are not in the "system" as described by you, not be

My point is a simple, mathematical one: 80%. That is a good lower bound on the percent of kids in India that are not in the "system" as described by you, not because their parents are enlightened but because they simply can't afford the system you describe. Most of these kids would attend schools where barely much of anything goes on at all. Those kids aren't going anywhere, and by the same token, they aren't spoiled by the learn-by-rote system either. There is a ton of talent there to be tapped, if the concern is that learn-by-rote system has totally destroyed the creativity of the other 20%. I am not saying this to justify the education system in India or to refute what you said, but to simply point out the existence of the other 80%.