PLease go to the site:

http://www.hurray.isep.ipp.pt/wsn/%28S%28p1y1wsmhunlcmtenczcoutqp%29%29/Print.aspx?Page=Technologies

Purchase MICAz motes and all programming environment is available in the net. Books may not be a good guide for a startup.

Any other assistance , please contact me.

Quick answers for Your questions:

1. A very classic text book will be this one: http://books.google.lv/books?id=BkaQkhkWGfoC OK, there is a lot of books published after it but for the start it could be appropriate solution.

2. If You need the test and development kits that have already established community and experience then TelosB family could be used: http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~konrad/projects/shimmer/references/tmote-sky-datasheet.pdf including new generation motes as XM1000: http://www.advanticsys.com/wiki/index.php?title=XM1000

3. Minimal lab infrastructure includes tools for modification of existing motes (adding modules with specific sensors and communication channels) as well as building of own motes for specific tasks - design and production of PCB's, development of software etc.

4. Topics could be divided into two grops - building of complex practical solutions based on WSN's as well as development of technologies that expands existing possibilities of WSN's - it includes effective software development tools, smart usage of energy resources, implementation of new communication channels (IoT) etc.

5. WSN's are tools targeted for solution of practical problems. One of these fields that, may be, could be interesting for rural engineering institution, is precision agriculture: http://www.plant-phenotyping-network.eu/lw_resource/datapool/_items/item_155/garcia-sanchez.pdf

Remote Triggered Wireless Sensor Network Lab by Amrita University

http://amrita.vlab.co.in/?sub=78&brch=256

Since you are in a rural institution, maybe you should concentrate on use of ad-hoc wireless sensor networks in farming.Other people often find it difficult to get into contact with farmers which would be willing to test their equipment, and you may be in a good position to organise a living lab with people living nearby. Precision farming is (still) a right buzzword these days.

If you manage to do this, you'll have a strong position for getting into research projects - good for funding and even better for knowledge transfer since it will make working with you in research projects attractive to people with lots of technical know-how and little in terms of contacts to end users.

Various motes development kits mentioned by others will be a good start to get acquainted with the basic technology even if they are limited in terms of available sensors and robustness.I think this is a good way to get started.

When it comes to "real applications", the farmers will expect to have dirt-cheap equipment with "good" sensors which "just works" under any weather condition and does not need a battery change every now and there. That's doable, and in my opinion you don't need to address this issue now.

Many grateful  thanks to all the commenters for very valuable inputs.

Cheers

Don't forget the power of collaboration. Open channels of communication with other universities (or departments) that have research in WSNs or their application. They can save you significant time when overcoming early setbacks. 

@Tyler W Davis Thank you . will get back if ok with you.

Cheers

Narsim

@Narsim: No problem.

@Narayanankutty K.A.  Thank you for your kind offer of assistance .  Will contact you as we proceed.

Cheers

@Narayanankutty K.A. 

Would it possible to suggest reliable source in India/ Bangalore for MICAz motes

and related components ?

Is Arduino suitable for the project , to begin with?

An idea of the approx  cost in Rs would be appreciated.

 Thanks for your assistance.

Would welcome responses from others also.

 Cheers

@Narasim Ramesh

Arduino with corresponding shield modules could be suitable for initial activities related to acquiring of specific knowledge and skills. In the future - if there will be specific requirements for computing resources and power consumption, Arduino could be outperformed by other platforms: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Which_are_the_most_widely_used_motes

@Artis Mednis 

Thank you for the quick response

 Cheers

@Dilraj Nadarajan ·Thanks very much  for pointing an excellent source. It is exactly what is required to begin this project.

Cheers

@Dilraj Nadarajan

There is some difficulty in the simulation of experiments.It does not work after

 connection in sensor data acquisition for example , the WSN in remote panel does not function.Would be grateful for  suggestions

Thanks