PANEL DISCUSSION

ON
REFLECTIONS ON THE RE-AWAKENING EAST
MODRATER
PANELIST-1
PANELIST-2
PANELIST-3
PANELIST-4

MODERATOR= Good morning and welcome to you all in this

panel discussion. I am __________ the moderator of this panel
discussion. the topic of today`s discussion is the Reflections on
the Re-awakening of East. Before I introduce our today`s
distinguished panelists let me first tell you the format of this
panel discussion. I will first ask questions from each expert to
discuss the topic . in the end questions will be taken from among
the audience to which our experts will answer.
For today`s panel discussion we have..Panelist one.. Panelist 2
Panelist 3.. Panelist 4.
Thank you all.
Moderator: My very first question from Panelist 1 is that what
you mean by re-awakening of East?
Panelist 1: well, it means that countries of Eastern part of the
world which is Asia and Africa are going to dominate the world
soon. Actually, alternations of power between East and West
have occurred throughout two thousand years and more. And now
it is East`s turn to power.
Moderator: As panelist 1 said there had been alternations of
power between East and West, my question is that who ruled the
world in the beginning of human civilization?

Panelist : 2. It is very interesting that in the earliest history

East predominated. It was in Asia and Africa that human
civilization emerged and reached to its peak. Mesopotamian and
Sumerian civilizations arose on the banks of Tigris and Euphrates
in today`s Iran Iraq borders some three thousand years Before
Christ. . Indus civilization flourished on river Indus. Nile River in
Egypt gave birth to great Egyptian civilization and Huwang Ho
River gave birth to glorious Chinese civilization So it was not
Europe or west but East that not only led in power but also in
culture and civilization.
Moderator: What do you think was the cause behind the fall of
such great civilizations and how come Europe became the
dominant?
Panelist 3: As you know that victory of one is the cause for the
failure of the other. So is true of East and West.. Power of west
owed greatly to the rise of Greece. In Greece developed the first
democratic society which encouraged free thinking. As a result
people like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and other philosophers and
scientists were born that not only established foundations of
learning and science but also helped west in becoming political
power. Moreover, the conquests of Alexander the great and
Roman Empire established strong western rule in the world. But
soon this power was declined due to incessant wars between
German tribes and Romans. Which resulted in the transfer of
power to EAST once again..
Moderator.: . We hear of Glorious Islamic Civilization and
Chinese civilization in the middle ages when Europe was sunk in
barbarism now my question is what were the features of these
civilizations? How these civilizations were glorious?
Panelist 4. Well, in the 7th century during caliphate period
Muslims conquered the lands previously occupied by the Romans.
They established their political power in three continents. Along
with this they sought after knowledge and learning . Institutes like
darul- hikmah, university of cordova and al azhar university were
founded. Many breakthroughs and discoveries were made in the

fields of medicine, chemistry, physics , mathematics and

astrology. I mean this was the golden period for the progress of
culture and learning. Similarly Chinese people were the first to
make paper and use coal as source of energy during this period
which took more than two hundred years to reach Europe.
Moderator: after learning these astounding achievements of
Asia I am very curious to know that how European countries like
England France, Spain and Portugal came to rule in Asian, and
African Countries?
Panelist: 1 scientific technique yes scientific technique was
their main weapon. They were able to rule the whole world with
the increasing industrialization and mechanization. With less
army but more advanced and sophisticated weapons they were
able to occupy india, Malaysia ,Indonesia and almost all African
countries.
Panelist 2. I don think it was only scientific technique that was
behind the western imperialism.. geographical discoveries made
by Vasco de gamma and Columbus who are also known as the
pioneers of western imperialism also played integral role in this
regard.
Moderator: my next question is from Panelist 3 that what kind
of rule was that of England in Indian Sub continent?
Panelist: 03 I believe English people ruled with justice and
equality in India.
Panelist 04. I quite disagree to this. Their rule was full of
insolence and humiliation.. they treated Indian people with
utmost disgrace which is why the mood of resistance was
produced among people and they demanded their independence
and eventually won it.
Panelist 03: I somewhat agree but English rule was more just
that the other European countries.. like French rule in Indo-China
was more brutal.

Moderator: panelist1 you said in the beginning that it is now

East`s turn. What does make you think that East is going to
dominate the world?
Panelist 1. Europe has become too enfeebled to hold the power
of the world due to their wars.. World war I and world war ii have
drained their power and energy . Asian countries on the other
hand have recently got their independence and they have more
potential and energy to replace western power.
Moderator: what could be the potential threats posed to newly
emerging east?
Panelist:2. I think American Imperialism can pose a great threat
to Asian countries as it can replace western imperialism.
Panelist : 3 I dont think American Imperialism can threaten
independence of Asian countries. It is communism of Russia
which offers menace to Asia. Because its philosophy is German
and its regime is imposed by military force. It can wipe out
ancient traditions of civilizations in Asia as is happening in China.
Moderator. Panelist 4 do you agree with panelist 3?
Panelist 4. Yes I fully agree to this if countries of Asia were to
take form of subjection to communism it will not be welcomed by
any friend of humanity and civilization.
Moderator: My Question from all of you is that what should we
hope as regards to development of reawakening EAST?
Panelist:1. If Asia wants to survive in the modern world it has to
accept the growth of industrialism. After all, power of England in
early 19th century and that of Russia and America in the present
day is due to their supremacy in this respect.
Panelist 2. I dont hope Asia to adopt Industrialization. Its
ruthless power has not only destroyed the beauty of our planet
but has also damaged our eco system.

Panelist; 3. I believe that industrialization is a necessary evil.

Though it has devastating effects yet it has become a prominent
feature of modern world. It is inevitable. Carlyle protested against
this and Gandhi tried hard to replace industrialization with
spinning wheel .But both failed. Because, it is bound to prevail.
So, if Asia wants to progress it has to embrace industrialization.
Moderator: What do you say Panelist4 ?
Panelist 4. I dont have issues with the industrialization of
Asia ..but my concern is that by no means Asia should devote its
energy to the proliferation of weapons which may jeopardize
peace in the world.
Moderator. Can we Speak Asia as unity? Or can we say that all
Asian countries are united ?
Panelist 1. Absolutely not. Only opposition to western
imperialism has caused people to think in these terms Asia
contains three different civilizations that of Indian, Islamic and
Chinese and all these are diametrically opposed to each other. So,
it will be trifle absurd to speak of Asia as unity.
Moderator. Now we will take some questions from the audience
and our experts will answer them to their satisfaction. . who is
the first to ask question?
Participant.1. My name is____________. And my question is
from Panelist 2 that what mistakes of west Asia can refrain from
copying in its development?
Panelist 2. I would say militaristic mechanization.. I mean Asia
has to refrain from producing weapons of war as west did which
might lead Asia to catastrophe.
Moderator: thank you. Who is next?
Participant 2. I am _______. And my question is that what lessons
East can learn from the West?

Panelist 3. Well, west has explored the world from pole to pole. It
has learnt the secrets of atoms and stars. These are the things
that East can learn from the West to use energy in positive
direction and for the welfare of human society.
Moderator. Next Question please.
Participant. 3. I am _________________ . My question is that dont
you think it will be very difficult for Asian countries to maintain
their independence?
Panelist 4. I think it will not be hard for Asian countries to keep
their independence especially when the whole world is divided
into two hostile camps that of communist Russia and Capitalist
America.
Moderator. The last question.
Participant 4. My name is _____________. And my question is
from panelist 1 that .is traditional culture under threat in the
age of science and machinery?
Panelist 1. Yes. People of this age have become a cog in the
machine. Human life has wholly mechanized. Human life must
contain poetry and music and art and love and the simple joys of
life. These are things that tend to be forgotten in a machine age.
Moderator. Ok thank you very much. To this we end our
today`s panel discussion . I thank the distinguished panelists for
coming and thank you audience for your participation. Thank
you.