Context: Recently, the Union Minister of Education virtually launched Lilavati Award-2020:AICTE's Innovative education program to empower women.
Background

• The award has been named after the 12th century book called “Lilavati”.
• The book was written by the mathematician Bhaskara II.
• Lilavati was the daughter of Indian Mathematician Bhaskara II.
• The prize was handed out for the first time at the International Congress of Mathematicians that was held in 2010.

About Lilavati Award

• The Lilavati Award were established under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
• Significance: The awards are aimed to award the efforts taken in the field of women’s development and create ‘equality and fairness’ for women in all spheres of their lives.
• The aim of the new awards is to create awareness and promote efforts in the field of women empowerment.
• The theme of this award is women empowerment and it aims to use “traditional Indian values” to raise awareness on issues such as sanitation, hygiene, health and nutrition.
• It aims to create awareness about issues like literacy, employment, technology, credit, marketing, innovation, skill development, natural resources, and rights among women.
• Eligibility: Teams can apply based on their work undertaken in the last two years and the team will comprise five people with at least two women members.
• The award will be given to individuals and institutes affiliated with AICTE on their contribution in the area of women empowerment.

Additional Information
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

• AICTE was set up in November 1945 as a national-level apex advisory body.
• Its purpose was to conduct a survey on the facilities available for technical education and to promote development in the country in a coordinated and integrated manner.