Writers have a responsibility to themselves and readers to be more aware of the world

Our readers have their say on colonial hang-ups, entrepreneurs and their cash, local locusts and the value of time

An eucalyptus tree planted by Sheikh Zayed in 1962. Sheikh Zayed's agriculture advisor Abdul Hafeez Khan interviewed at his home in Al Ain. Duncan Chard/ The National

With reference to James Langton's article How a gardener from Pakistan became Sheikh Zayed's green fingers (February 25), the writer calls him "the devoted horticulturist", "a graduate in agricultural science," and "an agricultural adviser." Is it fair then to trivialise him in the headline as "a gardener from Pakistan"? In my view that's just wrong. As a Brit, I am ashamed that some from the UK are yet unwise in their choices of words and phrases. Writers have a responsibility to themselves, their mastheads, and their readers to be more aware of the world they live in and how they choose to describe it.

Ashish Banerjee, Dubai

Springing to fund your business: yay or nay? 

With reference to Suzanne Locke's story Should entrepreneurs use their own money to fund their business? (February 25): if you use other people's money, you are not an entrepreneur. Although of course you do invest your own money to control the growth of your own company.

Stefan Wieland, Dubai

With reference to the report Abu Dhabi exterminates first locust swarm on island (February 25): the other day I saw some locusts but with red wings and I wondered where they came from. This piece explains the phenomenon.

Yasmin Sayyed, Abu Dhabi 

Be mindful of how you spend time and your one life

With reference to Ann Marie McQueen's article 'Everyone has a passion for something': why pursuing it will make you happier (February 25): I used to spend six hours every day on my phone. I decided to stop wasting time and began monitoring my day. With just that one change I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. I started respecting my decision to set an alarm by waking up when it went off. I timed chores and limited procrastination to 15 minutes max. This gave me three hours free before dinner time. That was after I had finished all the work I had scheduled for the day. It was like finding treasure. Instead of playing Candy Crush on my phone, I watched Ted talks.

It is this surplus time that sparks creativity. When you start being mindful of your time, it’s like sending a message to your brain that time is valuable. It then stops craving mindless entertainment and starts generating valuable thoughts and motivation to make your days, and consequently your life, better than it is.

Manasa Komaravolu, Abu Dhabi