RTGS/NEFT working on 13/08/2011 http://goo.gl/xpL3E Have u planned your ePayments?

This year, Raksha Bandhan i.e the festival of tying of a rakhi, or holy thread, by the sister on the wrist of her brother falls on 13/08/2011 Rakshan Bandhan is predominantly a North Indian festivial, though with the globalization winds, it has spread to other parts of the country too. Raksha Bandhan is a festival primarily observed in North India, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. Banks in North India are closed for Raksha Bandhan. However, RTGS/NEFT will be functioning on 13/08/2011. So, Bank Customers with online/mobile banking facilities will be able to carry out RTGS/NEFT transactions. But, remember it is a Saturday, so it will be a half-day for the RTGS/NEFT. However, 14th August, 2011 (Sunday) and 15th August 12, 2011(Monday), Banks will be closed Pan-India, and for business folks it will be a 3 day bank holiday. A long weekend ahead. The clearing cheques will be stuck in the clearing cycle and the fate will be known late Tuesday evening.

The festival is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims. The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her. The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It grew in popularity after Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of Chittor, sent a rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun when she required his help. Unrelated boys and men who are considered to be brothers (munh-bola bhai or adopted brothers) can also be tied rakhis, provided they commit to a lifelong obligation to provide protection to the woman or girl. This is becoming a common feature in Colleges and also symbolically the Rakhis are tied to political leaders too.