A woman and a boy, with the family name Chowduli, sits in a garden while the boy makes bidi cigarettes. Chowduli is a Muslim name and, although not part of the Hindu caste system, among Muslims they are stigmatised and the name is synonymous with low status. Consequently the West Bengal government has bestowed on them the status of 'backward'. This entitles them to positive discrimination when applying for government jobs and education.