About IMSE
Institute for Motivating Self-Employement
The genesis of IMSE (Institute for Motivating Self-Employement) was in the early 70s by a group of radical youths, led by Late Shri. Biplab Halim, the Executive Director of the organisation.
The genesis of IMSE (Institute for Motivating Self-Employment) traces back to the early 1970s, when a dedicated group of socially conscious individuals, led by the visionary leadership of Late Shri. Biplab Halim, came together with a shared commitment to empowering communities through self-employment opportunities. As Executive Director, Shri. Halim guided the organization with a mission to foster economic independence and dignified livelihoods across underserved populations.
Our Identity
Who We Are
Born in the hopeful dawn of 1973, IMSE came to life through the dreams and determination of a group of visionary young souls — individuals who believed that every person, no matter how marginalized, carries within them the seed of a dignified and self-reliant life. What began as a quiet resolve to ignite entrepreneurship has, over five decades, blossomed into a living, breathing testament to the transformative power of community, compassion, and sustained human effort.
Our Belief
At the heart of everything IMSE does lies a simple yet profound conviction — that poverty alleviation, equality, and social justice are not distant ideals, but achievable realities. We believe these can be realized through the gentle yet powerful tools of awareness, capacity building, and self-employment — one village, one family, one individual at a time.
Our Journey
Like a river that begins as a trickle and grows into a mighty stream, IMSE's journey has been one of quiet, purposeful expansion. From its early roots in entrepreneurship development, the organisation gradually extended its nurturing touch into the fields of:
Mass & Adult Education:
Mass & Adult Education and pre-primary schooling for children of BPL households.
Sustainable Agriculture:
Walking alongside small and marginal farmers toward ecological balance.
Rural Healthcare:
Bringing dignified access to health for underserved communities
Women Empowerment:
Placing women at the very centre of social and economic transformation.
Community Group Development:
Strengthening collective voices at the grassroots.
Vocational Training:
Equipping rural youth, especially women, with skills that open doors to livelihoods.
Vision
Vision
Thriving communities where every person lives with dignity, opportunity, and hope.
Mission
Mission
To equip vulnerable communities with relevant skills, enterprise support, and access to resources — enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods and a better quality of life.
Our Reach
From the coastal belts of Baleshwar and Bhadrak in Odisha, to the forested heartlands of Jharkhand, and across the fields and lanes of West Bengal — IMSE's presence spans far and wide across eastern India. Today, IMSE walks alongside communities in:
97
Villages in West Bengal
Among small and marginal farmers, women in the unorganized sector, fishing communities, and tribal peoples.
22
Villages across two districts in Odisha
Primarily with coastal fishing communities.
07
Villages in Jharkhand
Among tribal forest dwellers living in harmony with nature.
Beyond the region, IMSE's work resonates at the South Asian and International levels, nurturing partnerships built on shared values of human dignity and inclusive growth.
Our Structure
IMSE is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act (1961), recognized as a not-for-profit organisation with 12A income tax exemption. It holds FCRA registration, enabling it to receive international grants in service of its mission.
The organisation is guided by a seven-member Board — a body distinguished by the leadership of four dynamic women leaders, reflecting IMSE's deep and enduring commitment to gender equity at every level. The Board serves as the supreme decision-making body, supported by a federal structure of state and district-level offices staffed by dedicated teams and members.
An esteemed Advisory Group of renowned academicians, scientists, and civil society personalities lends their wisdom and solidarity to IMSE's work — enriching its vision with knowledge and experience.
Coordination & Head Office
195 Jodhpur Park, Kolkata – 700 068
Our Programmes & Recognition
IMSE proudly operates several government-sponsored initiatives, including:
Shakti Sadan:
A short-stay home offering shelter and care for destitute women, located in Purba Bardhaman district
ICDS Training Centre:
Nurturing Anganwadi workers at Labpur, Birbhum district.
PBSSD Enrolment:
Under the Skill India Programme, expanding vocational opportunities for youth at Labpur, Birbhum district.
Our Promise
For over five decades, IMSE has walked quietly but steadfastly with those who live on the margins — not to speak for them, but to walk beside them, helping them find their own voice, their own strength, and their own path forward. With a gender-sensitive and people-centred approach woven into every intervention, IMSE has had the privilege of touching the lives of more than one million people — and this journey, with all its beauty and responsibility, continues.
Founder's Vision
“When individuals discover their own potential and build their own futures with dignity, transformation becomes not a wish, but a lived reality. Let us believe in every human being and help them chase their dreams for a better future. In nurturing human potential, we also nurture the earth — for a sustainable tomorrow where both people and planet flourish together."
- Late Shri. Biplab Halim, Founder & Executive Director, IMSE