PRESS RELEASE: India’s Foreign Trade - May 2021

India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-May2021* are estimated to be USD 98.29Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 56.94per cent over the same period last year. Overall imports in April-May2021* are estimated to be USD 104.14Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 77.82per cent over the same period last year.

*Note: i) The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for April 2021. The data for May 2021 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release ii) the figures in bracket are growth rates vis-à-vis corresponding period of last year.

I. MERCHANDISE TRADE

EXPORTS (including re-exports)

• Exports in May 2021 were USD 32.27 Billion, as compared to USD 19.05 Billion in May 2020, exhibiting a positive growth of 69.35 per cent. In Rupee terms, exports were Rs. 2,36,426.16 Crore in May 2021, as compared to Rs. 1,44,166.01 Crore in May 2020, registering a positive growth of 64.00 per cent. As compared to May 2019, exports in May 2021 exhibited a positive growth of 8.11 per cent in Dollar terms and 13.53 per cent in Rupee terms.
• The commodities/commodity groups which have recorded positive growth during May 2021 vis-à-vis May 2020 areOther cereals  (847.41%), Jute mfg. including floor covering (256.29%), Petroleum products (227.25%), Handicrafts excl. handmade carpet (192.9%), Gems & jewellery (179.13%), Leather & leather products (155.08%), Meat, dairy & poultry products (146.45%), Man-made yarn/fabs./made-ups etc. (146.34%), Cotton yarn/fabs./made-ups, handloom products etc. (137.93%), RMG of all textiles (114.21%), Carpet (107.85%), Electronic goods (90.79%), Ceramic products & glassware (81.57%), Mica, Coal & other ores, minerals including processed minerals (77.07%), Engineering goods (53%), Cereal preparations & miscellaneous processed items (52.92%), Cashew (38.33%), Marine products (33.58%), Iron ore (25.71%), Plastic & Linoleum (20.46%), Organic & inorganic chemicals (20.05%), Tobacco (15.11%), Rice (12.64%), Oil meals (8.29%) and Coffee (1.08%).
• The commodities/commodity groups which have recorded negative growth during May 2021 vis-à-vis May 2020 are Fruits & vegetables (-7.1%), Oil seeds (-7.09%), Drugs & pharmaceuticals (-5.36%), Tea (-3.4%) and Spices (-0.33%).
• Cumulative value of exports for the period April-May 2021 was USD 62.89 Billion (Rs. 4,64,497.92 Crore) as against USD 29.41 Billion (Rs. 2,23,117.42 Crore) during the period April-May 2020, registering a positive growth of 113.85 per cent in Dollar terms (positive growth of 108.19 per cent in Rupee terms). As compared to April-May 2019, exports inApril-May 2021 exhibited a positive growth of 12.54 per cent in Dollar terms and 19.40 per cent in Rupee terms.
• Non-petroleum and Non-Gems and Jewellery exports in May 2021 were USD 23.97 Billion, as compared to USD 16.36 Billion in May 2020, registering a positive growth of 46.50 per cent. As compared to May 2019, Non-petroleum and Non-Gems and Jewellery exports in May 2021registered a positive growth of 11.51 per cent. Non-petroleum and Non-Gems and Jewellery exports in April-May 2021 were USD 47.59 Billion, as compared to USD 25.44 Billion for the corresponding period in 2020-21, which is an increase of 87.08 per cent. As compared to April-May 2019, Non-petroleum and Non-Gems and Jewellery exports in April-May 2021 registered a positive growth of 15.78 per cent.

IMPORTS

• Imports in May 2021 were USD 38.55 Billion (Rs. 2,82,453.56 Crore), which is an increase of 73.64 per cent in Dollar terms and 68.15 per cent in Rupee terms over imports of USD 22.20 Billion (Rs 1,67,977.68 Crore) in May 2020. Imports in May 2021 have registered a negative growth of(-) 17.42 per cent in Dollar terms and (-) 13.28 per cent in Rupee terms in comparison to May 2019. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-May 2021 was USD 84.27 Billion (Rs. 6,22,958.62 Crore), as against USD 39.32 Billion (Rs. 2,98,502.76 Crore) during the period April-May 2020, registering a positive growth of 114.31 per cent in Dollar terms and a positive growth of 108.69 per cent in Rupee terms. Imports in April-May 2021 have registered a negative growth of (-) 5.39 per cent in Dollar terms and positive growth of 0.48 per cent in Rupee terms in comparison to April-May 2019.
• Major commodity groups of import showing negative growth in May2021 over the corresponding month of last year are:

CRUDE OIL AND NON-OIL IMPORTS:

• Oil imports in May 2021 were USD 9.45 Billion (Rs. 69,255.28 Crore), which was 171.10 percent higher in Dollar terms (162.52 percent higher in Rupee terms), compared to USD 3.49 Billion (Rs. 26,380.50 Crore) in May 2020. As compared to May 2019, oil imports in May 2021 were 24.94 percent lower in Dollar terms and 21.18 per cent lower in Rupee terms. Oil imports in April-May 2021 were USD 20.32 Billion (Rs.1,50,224.04 Crore) which was 149.44 per cent higher in Dollar terms (142.62 percent higher in Rupee terms) compared to USD 8.15 Billion (Rs. 61,917.72 Crore), over the same period last year. As compared to April-May 2019, oil imports in April-May 2021 were 15.86 percent lower in Dollar terms and 10.66per cent lower in Rupee terms.
• In this connection it is mentioned that the global Brent price ($/bbl) has increased by 119.34% in May 2021 vis-à-vis May 2020 as per data available from World Bank.
• Non-oil imports in May 2021 were estimated at USD 29.10 Billion (Rs. 2,13,198.28 Crore) which was 55.48 percent higher in Dollar terms (50.57 percent higher in Rupee terms), compared to USD 18.71 Billion (Rs. 1,41,597.18 Crore) in May 2020. As compared to May 2019, Non-oil imports in May 2021, were 14.64per cent lower in Dollar terms and 10.37 per cent lower in Rupee terms. Non-oil imports in April-May 2021 were USD 63.95 Billion (Rs. 4,72,734.58 Crore) which was 105.13 per cent higher in Dollar terms (99.82 percent higher in Rupee terms), compared to USD 31.17 Billion (Rs. 2,36,585.04 Crore) in April-May 2020. As compared to April-May 2019, Non-oil imports in April-May 2021 were 1.49 per cent lower in Dollar terms and 4.62 per cent higher in Rupee terms.
• Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports were USD 28.42Billion in May 2021, recording a positive growth of 52.48per cent, as compared to Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports of USD 18.64Billion in May 2020. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports in May 2021 recorded a negative growth of (-) 3.04 per cent over May 2019. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports were USD 57.03Billion in April-May 2021, recording a positive growth of 83.40per cent, as compared to Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports of USD 31.10Billion in April-May 2020. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports in April-May 2021 recorded a positive growth of 1.55 per cent over April-May 2019.

II. TRADE IN SERVICES

EXPORTS (Receipts)

• As per the latest press release by RBI dated 1^st June 2021, exports in April 2021 were USD 17.55Billion (Rs.1,30,676.37Crore) registering a positive growth of 6.67per cent in Dollar terms, vis-à-vis April2020. The estimated value of services export for May2021* is USD 17.85Billion.

IMPORTS (Payments)

• As per the latest press release by RBI dated 1^st June 2021, imports in April 2021were USD 9.90Billion (Rs. 73,697.69Crore) registering a positive growth of 6.40per cent in Dollar terms, vis-à-vis April 2020. The estimated value of services import for May2021* is USD 9.97Billion.

III.TRADE BALANCE

• MERCHANDISE: The trade deficit for May2021 was estimated at USD6.28Billion as against the deficit of USD3.15Billion inMay2020, which is an increase of 99.61 percent.
• SERVICES: As per RBI’s Press Release dated 1^st June 2021, the trade balance in Services (i.e. Net Services export) for April 2021is USD7.65Billion. The estimated trade balance in May 2021* is USD 7.88Billion.
• OVERALL TRADE BALANCE: Taking merchandise and services together, overall trade deficit for April-May 2021* is estimated at USD5.85Billion as compared to the surplus of USD4.06Billion in April-May 2020.

*Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for April 2021. The data for May2021 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release.

Press Release - Hedda Gabler‏

Sir Benjamin Slade and Matthew John’s new period drama feature adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's HEDDA GABLER stars Rita Ramnani. Click 'here' to read the complete Press-Release about the film.

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Press Release l INDIA’S FOREIGN TRADE: OCTOBER2021

India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in October 2021* are estimated to be USD 56.51Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 35.16per cent over the same period last year and a positive growth of 29.13per cent over October 2019. Overall imports in October 2021* are estimated to be USD 68.09Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 57.32per cent over the same period last year and a positive growth of 40.82per cent over October 2019.

		October 2021 (USD Billion)	October 2020 (USD Billion)	October 2019 (USD Billion)	Growth vis-à-vis October 2020 (%)	Growth vis-à-vis October 2019 (%)
Merchandise	Exports	35.65	24.92	26.23	43.05	35.89
	Imports	55.37	34.07	37.99	62.51	45.77
	Trade Balance	-19.73	-9.15	-11.75	-115.50	-67.83
Services*	Exports	20.86	16.89	17.53	23.52	19.01
	Imports	12.71	9.21	10.36	38.09	22.68
	Net of Services	8.14	7.68	7.16	6.06	13.69
Overall Trade (Merchandise+ Services)*	Exports	56.51	41.81	43.76	35.16	29.13
	Imports	68.09	43.28	48.35	57.32	40.82
	Trade Balance	-11.58	-1.47	-4.59	-685.57	-152.36

* Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for September 2021. The data for October 2021 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release.(ii) Data for2019,2020 and April to June 2021 are revised on pro-rata basis using quarterly balance of payments data.

India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-October 2021* are estimated to be USD 369.39Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 39.83per cent over the same period last year and a positive growth of 19.97per cent over April-October 2019. Overall imports in April-October 2021* are estimated to be USD 409.30Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 63.64per cent over the same period last year and a positive growth of 13.57per cent over April-October 2019.

		April-October 2021 (USD Billion)	April-October 2020 (USD Billion)	April-October 2019 (USD Billion)	Growth vis-à-vis April-October 2020 (%)	Growth vis-à-vis April-October 2019 (%)
Merchandise	Exports	233.54	150.54	185.40	55.13	25.97
	Imports	331.39	186.01	286.07	78.16	15.84
	Trade Balance	-97.85	-35.47	-100.67	-175.90	2.80
Services*	Exports	135.85	113.63	122.50	19.55	10.90
	Imports	77.91	64.11	74.32	21.53	4.83
	Net of Services	57.94	49.52	48.18	17.00	20.26
Overall Trade (Merchandise+ Services)*	Exports	369.39	264.18	307.89	39.83	19.97
	Imports	409.30	250.12	360.39	63.64	13.57
	Trade Balance	-39.91	14.06	-52.49	-383.95	23.97

* Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for September 2021. The data for October 2021 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release. (ii) Data for 2019, 2020 and April to June 2021 are revised on pro-rata basis using quarterly balance of payments data.

I. MERCHANDISE TRADE

EXPORTS (including re-exports)

• Exports in October 2021 were USD 35.65 Billion, as compared to USD 24.92 Billion in October 2020, exhibiting a positive growth of 43.05 per cent. In Rupee terms, exports were Rs. 2,67,056.26 Crore in October 2021, as compared to Rs. 1,83,060.60 Crore in October 2020, registering a positive growth of 45.88 per cent. As compared to October 2019, exports in October 2021 exhibited a positive growth of 35.89 per cent in Dollar terms and 43.30per cent in Rupee terms.
• The commodities/commodity groups which have recorded positive growth during October 2021 vis-à-vis October 2020 arePetroleum Products (240.23%), Coffee (80.73%), Engineering goods (50.89%), Cotton yarn/fabs./made-ups, handloom products etc. (46.2%), Gems & jewellery (44.23%), Organic & inorganic chemicals (41.93%), Electronic goods (39.51%), Fruits & vegetables (34.03%), Plastic & Linoleum (30.51%), Mica, Coal & other ores, minerals including processed minerals (30.39%), Man-made yarn/fabs./made-ups etc. (29.12%), Jute mfg. including floor covering (27.44%), Cashew (18.39%), Marine products (18.08%), Leather & leather products (15.64%), Tobacco (11.58%), Carpet (10.06%), Handicrafts excl. handmade Carpet (9.72%), RMG of all textiles (6.42%), Cereal preparations & miscellaneous processed items (5.64%), Spices (1.19%) and Other cereals  (0.36%).
• The commodities/commodity groups which have recorded negative growth during October 2021 vis-à-vis October 2020 are Iron ore (-76.7%), Oil meals (-50.66%), Oil seeds (-16.25%), Tea (-10.85%), Ceramic products & glassware (-6.6%), Meat, dairy & poultry products  (-4.59%) and Drugs & pharmaceuticals (-0.88%).
• Cumulative value of exports for the period April-October 2021 was USD 233.54 Billion (Rs. 17,30,104.50Crore) as against USD 150.54 Billion (Rs. 11,24,418.69 Crore) during the period April-October 2020, registering a positive growth of 55.13 per cent in Dollar terms (positive growth of 53.87 per cent in Rupee terms). As compared to April-October 2019, exports in April-October 2021 exhibited a positive growth of 25.97 per cent in Dollar terms and 33.06 per cent in Rupee terms.
• Non-petroleum and Non-Gems and Jewellery exports in October 2021 were USD 26.09 Billion, as compared to USD 20.43 Billion in October 2020, registering a positive growth of 27.75 per cent. As compared to October 2019, Non-petroleum and Non-Gems and Jewellery exports in October 2021registered a positive growth of 36.82 per cent. Non-petroleum and Non-Gems and Jewellery exports in April-October 2021 were USD 175.99 Billion, as compared to USD 125.23 Billion for the corresponding period in 2020-21, which is an increase of 40.53 per cent. As compared to April-October 2019, Non-petroleum and Non-Gems and Jewellery exports in April-October 2021 registered a positive growth of 27.79 per cent.

IMPORTS

• Imports in October 2021 were USD 55.37 Billion (Rs.4,14,832.20 Crore), which is an increase of 62.51 per cent in Dollar terms and 65.73 per cent in Rupee terms over imports of USD 34.07 Billion (Rs 2,50,299.93 Crore) in October 2020. Imports in October 2021 have registered a positive growth of45.77 per cent in Dollar terms and 53.73 per cent in Rupee terms in comparison to October 2019. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-October 2021 was USD 331.39 Billion (Rs.24,55,722.54 Crore), as against USD 186.01 Billion (Rs. 13,89,331.98 Crore) during the period April-October 2020, registering a positive growth of 78.16 per cent in Dollar terms and a positive growth of 76.76 per cent in Rupee terms. Imports in April-October 2021 have registered a positive growth of 15.84 per cent in Dollar terms and positive growth of 22.46 per cent in Rupee terms in comparison to April-October 2019.
• Major commodity group of import showing negative growth in October2021 over the corresponding month of last year is:

CRUDE OIL AND NON-OIL IMPORTS:

• Oil imports in October 2021 were USD 14.43Billion (Rs. 1,08,096.22 Crore), which was 140.47 percent higher in Dollar terms (145.24 percent higher in Rupee terms), compared to USD 6.00 Billion (Rs. 44,076.88 Crore) in October 2020. As compared to October 2019, oil imports in October 2021 were 48.32 percent higher in Dollar terms and 56.41per cent higher in Rupee terms. Oil imports in April-October 2021 were USD 87.42 Billion (Rs.6,47,678.65 Crore) which was 129.96 per cent higher in Dollar terms (127.86 percent higher in Rupee terms) compared to USD 38.01 Billion (Rs. 2,84,243.09 Crore), over the same period last year. As compared to April-October 2019, oil imports in April-October 2021 were 16.67 percent higher in Dollar terms and 23.32per cent higher in Rupee terms.
• In this connection it is mentioned that the global Brent price ($/bbl) has increased by 106.70% in October 2021 vis-à-vis October 2020 as per data available from World Bank.
• Non-oil imports in October 2021 were estimated at USD 40.94 Billion (Rs. 3,06,735.98 Crore) which was 45.85 percent higher in Dollar terms (48.74 percent higher in Rupee terms), compared to USD 28.07 Billion (Rs. 2,06,223.06 Crore) in October 2020. As compared to October 2019, Non-oil imports in October 2021, were 44.90per cent higher in Dollar terms and 52.80 per cent higher in Rupee terms. Non-oil imports in April-October 2021 were USD 243.98 Billion (Rs. 18,08,043.89 Crore) which was 64.85 per cent higher in Dollar terms (63.61 percent higher in Rupee terms), compared to USD 148.00 Billion (Rs. 11,05,088.89 Crore) in April-October 2020. As compared to April-October 2019, Non-oil imports in April-October 2021 were 15.55 per cent higher in Dollar terms and 22.15 per cent higher in Rupee terms.
• Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports were USD 35.84Billion in October 2021, recording a positive growth of 40.14per cent, as compared to Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports of USD 25.57Billion in October 2020. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports in October 2021 recorded a positive growth of 35.66 per cent over October 2019. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports were USD 214.91Billion in April-October 2021, recording a positive growth of 54.92per cent, as compared to Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports of USD 138.72Billion in April-October 2020. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports in April-October 2021 recorded a positive growth of 11.06 per cent over April-October 2019.

II. TRADE IN SERVICES

EXPORTS (Receipts)

• As per the latest press release by RBI dated 1^stNovember 2021, exports in September 2021 were USD 20.68Billion (Rs.1,52,129.11Crore) registering a positive growth of 21.96per cent in Dollar terms, vis-à-vis September2020. The estimated value of services export for October2021* is USD 20.86Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 23.52per cent vis-a-vis October 2020 (USD 16.89Billion) and a positive growth of 19.01per cent vis-à-vis October 2019 (USD 17.53Billion).

IMPORTS (Payments)

• As per the latest press release by RBI dated 1^stNovember2021, imports in September 2021were USD 12.21Billion (Rs. 89,850.34Crore) registering a positive growth of 25.01per cent in Dollar terms, vis-à-vis September 2020. The estimated value of services import for October2021* is USD 12.71Billion exhibiting a positive growth of 38.09per cent vis-à-vis October 2020 (USD 9.21Billion) and a positivegrowth of22.68per cent vis-à-vis October 2019 (USD 10.36Billion).

III.TRADE BALANCE

• MERCHANDISE: The trade balance for October2021 was estimated at USD(-) 19.73Billion as against USD(-) 9.15Billion inOctober2020, which is a declineof (-) 115.50 percent. As compared to October 2019 (USD (-) 11.75 Billion), trade balance in October 2021 exhibited a negative growth of(-) 67.83 per cent.          
• SERVICES: As per RBI’s Press Release dated 1^stNovember2021, the trade balance in Services (i.e. Net Services export) for September 2021is USD8.47Billion. The estimated trade balance in October 2021* is USD8.14Billion, which is an increase of 6.06per cent over October 2020 (USD 7.68Billion) and an increase of13.69per cent over October2019 (USD 7.16Billion).
• OVERALL TRADE BALANCE: Taking merchandise and services together, overall trade balance for October 2021* is estimated atUSD (-) 11.58Billion as compared to USD(-) 1.47Billion in October 2020, a decline of (-) 685.57per cent. In comparison to October 2019(USD (-) 4.59Billion), trade balance in October 2021 exhibited a negative growth of(-) 152.36per cent.

*Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for September 2021. The data for October 2021 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release. (ii) Data for 2019, 2020 and April to June 2021 are revised on pro-rata basis using quarterly balance of payments data.

MERCHANDISE TRADE

EXPORTS & IMPORTS: (Rs. Crore)
(PROVISIONAL)
	OCTOBER	APRIL-OCTOBER
EXPORTS(including re-exports)
2019-20	1,86,358.06	13,00,244.23
2020-21	1,83,060.60	11,24,418.69
2021-22	2,67,056.26	17,30,104.50
%Growth 2021-22/ 2020-21	45.88	53.87
%Growth 2021-22/ 2019-20	43.30	33.06
IMPORTS
2019-20	2,69,852.86	20,05,403.85
2020-21	2,50,299.93	13,89,331.98
2021-22	4,14,832.20	24,55,722.54
%Growth 2021-22/ 2020-21	65.73	76.76
%Growth 2021-22/ 2019-20	53.73	22.46
TRADE BALANCE
2019-20	-83,494.80	-7,05,159.62
2020-21	-67,239.33	-2,64,913.29
2021-22	-1,47,775.94	-7,25,618.04

 

SERVICES TRADE

EXPORTS & IMPORTS (SERVICES) : (US $ Billion)
(PROVISIONAL)	September 2021	April- September 2021
EXPORTS (Receipts)	20.68	114.99
IMPORTS (Payments)	12.21	65.20
TRADE BALANCE	8.47	49.80
EXPORTS & IMPORTS (SERVICES): (Rs. Crore)
(PROVISIONAL)	September 2021	April- September 2021
EXPORTS (Receipts)	1,52,129.11	8,50,038.34
IMPORTS (Payments)	89,850.34	4,81,952.26
TRADE BALANCE	62,278.77	3,68,086.08
Source: RBI Press Release dated 1stNovember 2021

Press Release: News In Picture

Press Release written by: Amit kumaR Agarwal

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu graced the 32nd convocation of Mohanlal Sukhadia University at Udaipur, in Rajasthan on October 03, 2024.

Press Release l NO CHANGE OF GUARD CEREMONY TOMORROW

Press Release l President's Secretariat

The Change of Guard Ceremony will not take place tomorrow (May 25, 2024) at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to the General Election in Delhi.

Press Release (London, UK – July 16, 2013)

Press Release (London, UK – July 16, 2013)

Nogaam (“New Steps”), an online publisher for the books of censored Iranian authors, is launching a collection of controversial short stories penned by exiled Iranian filmmaker Mania Akbari. “My Mother’s Black Chador” will be released on Wednesday July 17, to coincide with the retrospective of Akbari’s work, which is being held at the British Film Institute in London (July 14 - July 28). 

My Mother’s Black Chador, 17 July 2013, ISBN: 978-1-909641-06-8

Akbari first gained critical acclaim for her onscreen performance in Abbas Kiarostami’s film “10”, before quickly venturing on to establish herself as a filmmaker in her own right. “20 Fingers”, Akbari’s first feature length film, tackles a variety of socially complex issues, from divorce to homosexuality. Now, Mania is exploring literature as another medium through which she can dissect complex themes of love, sexuality and identity in modern society.

Akbari uses “My Mother’s Black Chador” to shatter taboos, challenge conventions, and move beyond the chafing confines of traditional society. Her stories are bold, frank, and adept at seamlessly weaving together topics as varied as politics, sexuality and identity in contemporary Iran. Akbari was never given a permit to work freely in Iran.

She says, “I have slaved away at the banquet table in solitude with my paper and pen and now we will feast. We had no choice, my pen, paper and I. The weather is always cloudy in London and the four walls surrounding me abandoned me to my dreams. I have written this for those who have always listened, but this time they should read these stories, not as stories filled to the brim with the insanity between life and death, but the thousands of prisms between fantasy and reality”.

In a time when all eyes are on Iran, Akbari provides a stark shift in perspective, talking openly about political prisoners, fabricating impossible relationships within the strict confines of Iran’s traditional society, and playing tricks with text to transcend enduring taboos. 

“You’ve seen my fear, you know all about my nightmares and my pain. You know what I would say when I got hungry, how I would cry after being in the white room and how I would brutally write down my friends’ names, people’s names, relationships and secrets on a white paper, betraying them”, excerpt from ‘A Letter to Saalehi’, a story describing an intimate relationship between a prisoner who falls in love with her interrogator.

“My Mother’s Black Chador” is a selection of five stories from Mania Akbari’s first book, “Stories Without Decoupage”, translated from Farsi into English. “Stories Without Decoupage” was published in June 2013 by Nogaam.

ABOUT NOGAAM (nogaam.com/english)

Nogaam is an online publisher that freely distributes the work of censored Iranian authors. Nogaam seeks to further the development of Persian-language literature, provide support to Iranian and Farsi-speaking authors, and facilitate the global distribution of contemporary Persian literature.

Free and unrestricted access to literature is one of the most potent and effective means of transmitting knowledge between peoples, and encouraging the development of greater social and cultural awareness. Nogaam believes that, especially in closed societies, electronic publication provides a fantastic opportunity for readers to engage with a variety of previously inaccessible or obscure texts.

Over the past year, Nogaam has published a book banned for broaching the topic of youth and drugs in Iran, a short story collection that had been published with two stories and many subtleties axed by the censors, and the history of rock music penned by a writer in exile whose books are banned from the country entirely.

FACTS FOR EDITORS

• All books published in Iran must have an official licence from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the licence is not permanent and can be revoked
• Many books that were previously approved for publication are being banned for “promoting Western thought” or for “being immoral”
• For the past 30 years, writers and publishers have come face to face with lengthy lists of forbidden topics, names, phrases, and words
• Authors are frequently instructed to cut large sections of text from their books
• Authors frequently revert to self-censorship in order to publish their work
• Censorship is unpredictable and changing all the time and nobody in the publishing industry can ever be sure what the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance will allow at any given time
• As more and more religious books and textbooks are published, we see far fewer literature and poetry books on the shelves in Iran
• During the last term of Ahmadinejad’s presidency, the government forcibly closed many independent publishing houses, especially those publishing books on sociology, literature, politics and history