Is perceive the same as perseverant?

I was watching the Miss India pageant tonight. Only for one reason - Maddy was the host! :) Anyway, ten girls were chosen for the semi-final round. It was a question round. One of the contestants was asked the question by a jury member (don't really know her.. a designer or something..) which was something like 'what is the one quality in you that you feel has helped you succeed' or 'brought you so far' or whatever. Her answer was absolutely interesting. She said 'Good evening blah blah. The one quality that I feel blah blah is perseverance. I believe that I have come so far only because I was perseverant. One has to have the ability to perceive. Only then will they be able to succeed.' And she went on about being perseverant and the ability to perceive.

It beats me. I am no Shakespeare, but I know English well enough to say that they don't mean the same. Perseverance is the persistence shown for an action. To perceive is to become aware of or to know something. I can't even put down her answer to the due-to-nervousness category. Some girls stammered a bit. She spoke wonderfully. Only, it didn't make any sense. The jury member who asked her the question had a weird look on her face and mumbled a thanks with a 'what was that' expression.

This leads me to wonder. We Indians are perceived as the kind of people who are always trying to fit in. Trying to be something we are not. All this poor girl did was try to put her thoughts across. She just didn't know the right words.

We are desperately trying to make everyone around us believe that we are internationally bred. Why is it that good education need not be important as long as we can talk in English (That too with an accent. In India!) and know how to act like we belong to the Queen's family? I know friends who use GRE English in their daily conversations! Heck, who understands! :P

If we notice, during the Miss World or Miss Universe pageants, there are contestants from some countries who answer in their native language and someone translates it for them. That is not something to feel belittled about. Accepting we don't know something is always better than making a fool of oneself, don't you think? What's important is for you to get your thoughts across. Using high-funda words may get you some raised eyebrows, but it really is not worth the risk unless you absolutely know what you're talking about.

Like someone once said - It is better to be thought a fool than speak and clear all doubts. ;)

I say, be proud to be Indian and be proud about all that you know. There is no need for us to prove ourselves to others. Be proud to be yourself! :)