As the last month of the year, December, begins, the effect of cold also starts reaching its peak. In this month, while on the one hand people enjoy warm clothes and tea to get relief from the cold, on the other hand, a period of holidays also prevails across the country.
During this time, various types of holidays are celebrated in schools, colleges, government offices and banks. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases a list of holidays for the month of December every year, which includes national, regional and special holidays.
Why will there be a holiday in Meghalaya on December 12?
One of the major holidays of this month will be in the state of Meghalaya on December 12. On this day, a holiday has been declared in the state on the occasion of the death anniversary of *Pa-Togan Nengminza Sangma*, a brave freedom fighter of the Garo tribe. This day is celebrated in honor of the Garo warrior Shaheed Sangma, who sacrificed his life in 1872 while fighting against the British Empire.
Contribution of Pa-Togan Nengminza Sangma
Pa-Togan Nengminza Sangma was a courageous freedom fighter from the Garo tribe of Meghalaya who fought fiercely against British rule. In 1872, Sangma and his fellow Garo warriors attacked British soldiers at night in Macha Rongkrek village. Although the British soldiers had state-of-the-art weapons, due to which the Garo warriors suffered defeat, this conflict has made an important place in the history of the Garo tribe. To honor this valor and sacrifice on December 12, government offices, banks and schools will remain closed in the state.
Full list of bank holidays for the month of December
A total of 17 holidays have been declared in December. These holidays include holidays due to special state-level festivals, second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays. Bank operations will remain suspended due to these holidays.
According to RBI, banks will remain closed on the following days in December 2024:
– 3 December, Tuesday: Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Panaji, Goa)
– 12 December, Thursday: Death anniversary of Pa-togan Nengminza Sangma (Shillong, Meghalaya)
– 18 December, Wednesday: Death anniversary of U Soso Tham Shillong (Shillong, Meghalaya)
– 19 December, Thursday: Goa Liberation Day (Panaji)
– 24 December, Tuesday: Christmas Eve (Aizawl, Mizoram, Kohima, Nagaland, Shillong)
– 25 December, Wednesday: Christmas (Public Holiday)
– 26 December, Thursday: Christmas Celebration (Aizawl, Kohima, Shillong)
– 27 December, Friday: Christmas Celebration (Kohima)
– 30 December, Monday: U Kiang Nangbah (Shillong)
– 31 December, Tuesday: New Year’s Eve/Losong/Namsung (Aizawl, Gangtok, Sikkim)
Apart from this, there are two other important holidays for banks in December:
– 14 December, Second Saturday
– December 28, Fourth Saturday
Apart from this, there are a total of five Sundays in the entire month of December, on which bank holidays will be observed:
– December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Special holidays for regional holidays
The list released by the Reserve Bank also includes several regional holidays due to various state-level holidays. These holidays will affect only the respective states or regions. For example, the feast of *St. Francis Xavier* will be celebrated only in Goa, while the death anniversary of *U Soso Tham Shillong* will cause a special holiday in Shillong and surrounding areas. Similarly, other holidays will also be limited to only those regions where the respective festivals are celebrated.
Online banking services will remain available
Although working activities in banks may come to a halt during these holidays, online banking services will remain available as usual. Customers can carry out their daily financial tasks such as transactions, bill payments, checking account statements, etc. through internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs. This is a matter of great relief for the customers, because even on holidays they can complete their banking work without any hassle.
Demand of bank employees
Meanwhile, bank employees have demanded a *5-day working week* from the government. If this proposal is approved, it will mean that bank employees will be on leave on Saturdays of every week, and not just on the second and fourth Saturdays. This will give employees a chance to rest and balance work life. Although no decision has been taken on this yet, this proposal of the employees is an attempt to change the work culture in banks.
The list of holidays announced by the Reserve Bank of India in December 2024 includes various national and regional holidays, which will affect the operations of banks. However, online banking services will continue, allowing customers to easily carry out their financial activities even during these holidays. Apart from this, on December 12, there will be a special holiday in the state due to the death anniversary of *Pa-Togan Nengminza Sangma*, a freedom fighter of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya, which will be observed to honor his sacrifice and valor.
