ABSTRACT
The dichotomy of theory and practice is a long one within social sciences. This chapter can be thought to be another effort at furthering the debate but in the context of North-East India. Applying theories which are born and developed outside the area of application is difficult and complicated. This problem is further complicated by the hierarchy within theories or knowledge system in general. This chapter explores the nature of applying theories of modernization on an indigenous community called the Apatanis who reside in Arunachal Pradesh. In doing so, I am providing an example of the dichotomous relation between theory and practice.
The chapter suggests that this problem can be amended if the focus shifts more in active production of knowledge, truth and mostly theory, rather than uncritical consumption of what several years of colonialism have provided. It is argued that the duty of education institutes does not stop at teaching and explaining the society and the theorists, but they should also teach theorization and the process of theory making.
