Otara Chandiram was awarded the Zonta Club 1 Colombo’s 7th "Women of Achievement" award for Outstanding Achievement" The award was presented to her by both the chief guests - Professor Lalitha Mendis, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, and Professor Kusuma Karunaratne, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Keleniya.The latest in a list of past award-winners, Otara Chandiram’s entrepreneurial accomplishment was duly appreciated. Building Odel into a mega store and thus setting a benchmark for the retail industry in Sri Lanka, Chandiram’s contribution is significant.

Otara Chandiram has, in the past, been a source of inspiration and encouragement for other women entrepreneurs waiting to test their wings. She has fulfilled the age-old wisdom that with hard work, determination, and talent - nothing is impossible. Today, Odel Unlimited shines like a beacon within the south Asian region, and can proudly compete against other well-known retail stores worldwide.

The "Woman of Achievement" awards ceremony is held once every two years to recognise women who have striven hard in their respective professional spheres, and who have achieved recognition as well as contributed to Sri Lanka as a whole. One of Zonta Club’s principal aims has been to improve the status of working women. It is hoped that such recognition will spur other women professionals to attain to greater heights. (Press Release)