Mr. Biplab Halim was born in Kolkata into a family deeply committed to social change and public service. From his early years, he developed a profound understanding of socio-economic challenges and the structural barriers that keep communities trapped in poverty.

Driven by a lifelong passion to serve the marginalized, Mr. Halim dedicated himself to practical, on-ground solutions for poverty alleviation and community empowerment. In the mid-1970s, he transitioned his focus toward grassroots social work, joining as a lecturer in a college in Birbhum district of West Bengal. Recognizing that sustainable change required institutional commitment, he co-founded the Institute for Motivating Self Employment (IMSE) alongside like-minded colleagues.

Through IMSE, Mr. Halim channeled his vision into tangible action — building capacity among rural communities, fostering self-reliance, and creating pathways toward dignified livelihoods. His philosophy was rooted in the belief that strengthening rural communities strengthens the nation itself — a principle that continues to guide IMSE's work today.