Freedom Fighter Mrs. Sahodrabai Rai was born in Bothrai of Patharia Tehsil of Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh. She participated in Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement in 1942 at the age of 23 and was arrested, she also worked for Hindu-Muslim unity during 1945 in Naukhali.

During the Goa Liberation Movement in 1955, Portuguese soldiers fired bullets at her while hoisting the national flag in Goa and she was hit by three bullets, but Sahodra Rai, showing unprecedented courage, without caring for her life, did not let the national flag fall on the ground.

In 1979, she participated in Satyagraha to protest the arrest of Mrs. Indira Gandhi and was imprisoned. She was a member of the second, third and fifth Lok Sabha. She was the first woman MP of Sagar district. She also helped in the rehabilitation of Sindhis after the partition of the country, and did many social works like Harijan welfare, adult education, Khadi development, women's organizations and assistance to the poor. She donated her land to build hospital in village Karrapur of Sagar district, on which even today the primary health center is operating in her name.

Born in a Rai (Khadgvanshi Kshatriya) family, Sahodra Rai was fearless and courageous since childhood. Her path from carrying beedi bark to Parliament was full of struggle, in spite of that, she left an indelible mark in the freedom struggle and made an exemplary contribution.

The Government Women Polytechnic College, established in 1986 at Sagar Divisional Headquarters was established in the name of Veerangana Sahodra Rai who was the symbol of might and bravery, so that we the people of Sagar are proud of it.