Goa, Feb. 14 -- Sahitya Akademi awardee Shanta Gokhale emphasized the power of silence in her thought provoking keynote address at the inauguration function of the 13th Goa Arts and Literature Festival at the International Centre Goa (ICG). Gokhale cited the example of rampant demolition and construction activity in her Mumbai neighbourhood and lamented how silence, particularly in an urban environment had almost become impossible. The otherwise soft spoken Shanta Gokhale said, "I feel this great urge to turn violent. But I can hardly throw the noisy excavators into the sea."

Academic and author Sumana Roy who delivered the first keynote address threw the spotlight on the language of plants. Quoting the works of scientist Jagdish Chandra...