Jaipur, May 3 -- Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Girija Vyas was on Friday cremated in Rajasthan's Udaipur district where senior party leaders gathered to pay their respects. She died on Thursday in a hospital in Ahmedabad. She was 79 years old. The funeral procession started from her residence in Daitya Nagar to Ashok Nagar crematorium. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former minister Ramlal Jat shouldered her bier. A large number of Congress worker, her supporters and city residents also present in the procession. On her demise, Congress Parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter expressing grief over the mishap that led to her death. "I am shocked due to the sudden demise of Girija Vyas after a month long treatment following the fire tragedy happened with her. Her passing away is a loss for the Congress party, literature fraternity. Her contribution in social, political and education field will be remembered. My condolences to the bereaved family," Gandhi said in the letter. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed grief. "The news of the demise of former Union Minister, former State President of Rajasthan Congress and senior Congress leader, Dr. Girija Vyas is extremely sad," Kharge said on X....